Nanocomposite nonwoven materials based on polyamide-6 and montmorillonite,prepared by electrospinning of the polymer melt

The effect of montmorillonite on the structure and properties of nonwoven microfibrous materials based on polyamide-6 and prepared by electrospinning of the polymer melt was studied. Addition of 3% montmorillonite into the melt increases its viscosity and electrical conductivity, with the mean diameter of the formed fibers increasing from 8 to 12 μm. As shown by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry, pellets of the pristine polyamide are characterized by prevalence of crystals of the stable α-form, whereas in the composites and nonwoven materials the metastable γ-form prevails. Addition of montmorillonite only slightly influences the contact angles, and the resulting materials exhibit nearly superhydrophobic properties.