In-site observation of the crystallization of nylon-6 mediated by the interfacial hydrogen bonds

Hydrogen bonds exist in many polymer systems and play a large role in the physical and chemical properties. In this study, nylon-6, which consists of repeated amide groups and contains large number of hydrogen bonds, is chosen as an example. Meanwhile, the oxidized unzipped MWCNTs (μCNTs) with oxygenated species such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are used as mediator to regulate the crystallization process of nylon-6 thin films. In-site experimental techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and polarized optical microscopy were utilized to get more direct insights on the crystallization mechanism of nylon-6 and μCNTs systems.