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Preparation of a novel KCC-1/nylon 6 nanocomposite via electrospinning technique

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Abstract

In this research, a novel nanofibrous composite of KCC-1/nylon 6 was prepared using electrospinning techniques. First, fibrous silica nanospheres (KCC-1) were synthesized via conventional polycondensation method with a new solvent system. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a spongy spherical morphology with a uniform distribution of particle sizes and an average diameter of around 305 nm. Synthesized KCC-1 nanospheres are considered as mesoporous materials due to their high BET specific surface area of 576 m2 g−1 and BJH average pore diameter of 3.28 nm. The KCC-1/nylon 6 composite was fabricated by preparing a dispersion of nanosilica (10–50 % w/w) in a solution of nylon 6 (15 % w/v) in formic acid. Upon applying a high voltage, the nonwoven electrospun KCC-1/nylon 6 composite nanofibers were obtained. The KCC-1 nanospheres were arranged in line along the nylon 6 fibers like rosary beads wrapped in the polymer. Based on the SEM images, we obtained a well-distributed nanocomposite even at higher silica content. The prepared KCC-1/nylon 6 composite showed 29–55 % higher BET specific surface area compared with pure nylon 6 nanofibers which makes it a good candidate to be used as a sorbent material for environmental or drug delivery applications.

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Acknowledgments

The research council and the graduate office of the Material and Energy Research Center are thanked for supporting and funding this project (No. 571392052).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Semiconductors, Material and Energy Research Center, P.O. Box: 31787-316, Karaj, Iran

    Ali Aghakhani

  2. Department of Energy, Material and Energy Research Center, P.O. Box: 31787-316, Karaj, Iran

    Ensiyeh Kazemi & Mahmood Kazemzad

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  1. Ali Aghakhani
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Correspondence to Mahmood Kazemzad.

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Aghakhani, A., Kazemi, E. & Kazemzad, M. Preparation of a novel KCC-1/nylon 6 nanocomposite via electrospinning technique. J Nanopart Res 17, 386 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3190-3

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