Nylon 6,6 is a highly versatile thermoplastic known for its use in various applications such as clothing, footwear, automotive parts, and fishnets. Its exceptional mechanical properties and abrasion resistance make it an important material across multiple industries. However, conventional synthesis of such ubiquitous materials heavily depends on finite petrochemical sources. These processes result in greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect the environment by accelerating global climate change. Renewable sources such as biomass offer a sustainable pathway for producing green nylon 6,6. Biomass is a promising source of bio-privileged molecules that offer the potential to develop alternatives to conventional petrochemical-based plastics such as nylon 6,6. Moreover, when introduced as comonomers, the unique chemistry of these molecules can introduce valuable new properties that justify their initially high manufacturing cost. This work investigates the post-polymerization functionalization of such a “bio-privileged” nylon, focusing on crosslinking to dramatically improve its thermomechanical characteristics. The degree of crosslinking was varied, allowing adjustments to the material’s properties. Experimental results demonstrated an increase in decomposition temperature from 340 °C to 400 °C after treatment. The storage modulus of functionalized nylon increased significantly, from 2400 MPa to 8200 MPa. These enhancements are directly linked to the specific treatment conditions. Results show that bio-privileged monomers, combined with innovative functionalization strategies, can yield eco-friendly high-performance polymer resins.
Functionalization of Biobased Nylon-6,6 Copolymers to Enhance Thermomechanical Properties
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Student Abstract Submission