Poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate)/layered silicate nanocomposites: fabrication, crystallization behavior and properties

In this study, poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN)/layered silicate nanocomposites (PLSNs) were successfully prepared by the intercalation of PEN polymer into organically-modified layered montmorillonite through the melt blending process. Both X-ray diffraction data and transmission electron microscopy images of PEN/layered silicate nanocomposites indicate most of the swellable silicate layers were exfoliated and randomly dispersed into the PEN matrix. Mechanical and barrier properties of the fabricated nanocomposites performed by dynamic mechanical analysis and permeability analysis show significant improvements in the storage modulus and water permeability when compared to neat PEN. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to investigate the isothermal crystallization behavior and melting behavior of PLSNs. DSC isothermal results revealed that the crystal growth process of PEN and PLSNs are a three-dimensional spherulitic growth. The activation energy of PEN increases with increasing content of layered silicates. The result indicates that the addition of layered silicate into PEN reduces the transportation ability of polymer chains during crystallization processes.