Improving the picture of atomic structure in nonoriented polymer domains using the pair distribution function: A study of polyamide 6

Investigations of the atomic structures within polyamides started over 80 years ago and continue today. These weakly ordered materials diffract X-rays poorly and typically require postprocessing to obtain idealized samples for structural studies. An important goal remains to develop techniques to study the local structure in its natural state, with atomic resolution, and with sensitivity to subtle changes due to synthesis conditions or other technologically relevant processing procedures. Here, we compare the structures of as-produced, nonoriented polyamide 6 ([C₆H₁₁NO] _n) from both hydrolytic and anionic processes. A total scattering pair distribution function approach is used to elucidate information about the atomic bonding, molecular conformation, chain packing, crystallite size, and ratio of ordered to disordered domain content. The results are compared with those from standard analytical methods.