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Some new perspectives of anionic polyamide 6 (APA 6) synthesis
Author(s) -
Russo Saverio,
Maniscalco Sabrina,
Ricco Laura
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.3505
Subject(s) - polymerization , activator (genetics) , polyamide , caprolactam , anionic addition polymerization , silane , cationic polymerization , polymer chemistry , materials science , isocyanate , combinatorial chemistry , chemical engineering , chemistry , polymer , polyurethane , composite material , biochemistry , engineering , gene
The anionic polymerization of ε ‐caprolactam in the bulk is now enriched by a new member belonging to the family of very fast activators, represented by blocked (triethoxysilyl)propylisocyanate. The activator is able to allow polymerization completion in a few tens of seconds in quasi ‐adiabatic conditions starting from ca . 150°C. The most relevant and unexpected feature of its role in ε ‐caprolactam activated anionic polymerization arises from the observation that the resultant APA 6 is extensively crosslinked in situ up to ca . 80% despite the isocyanate monofunctionality of th e activator. Comparison with the behavior of a commercial trifunctional activator/crosslinker is carried out and possible explanation of (triethoxysilyl)propylisocyanate role as a crosslinker is put forward. Optimization of the procedure to properly evaluate the degree of APA 6 crosslinking in comparison with a literature method is established. Other tested silane derivatives do not behave similarly in the same experimental conditions of synthesis. The strong adhesion, due to the triethoxysilyl group, to glass fibers introduced in the polymerizing medium is a relevant additional advantage of the quoted activator. Possible industrial applications can be foreseen. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.