Preparation of ZnO/Nylon 6/6 nanocomposites, their characterization and application in dye decolorization

Nylon 6/6 and ZnO/nylon 6/6 nanocomposite films were prepared by solvent casting method. Morphological study displayed that ZnO NPs are better dispersed in nylon 6/6. However, some agglomerations were found by the incorporation of high quantities of fillers. The thermal stabilities of neat nylon 6/6 films decreased by addition of nanoparticles (NPs). DSC study shows that the NPs slow down the crystallization rate of neat polymer matrix. POM of Nylon 6/6 upon crystallization showed distinct sized spherulites, which decreased by the incorporation of NPs because of nucleation effect of NPs. The mechanical properties of neat polymer are decreased by addition of ZnO NPs, which might be due to agglomeration of fillers. The neat nylon 6/6 and ZnO/nylon 6/6 nanocomposite were used for the photodegradation of alizarin red (AR) dye, which shows that pure nylon 6/6 degraded about 28% dye while 30% ZnO/Nylon 6/6 degraded about 58.3% dye within 5 h irradiation.