Synthesis of nylon 6-g-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer and its compatibilizing effect in nylon 6/poly(ethylene glycol) blends

Summary A graft copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) onto nylon 6 was prepared by two-step reactions; poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was chlorinated with thionyl chloride in carbon tetrachloride and the chlorinated PEG was then grafted onto nylon 6 by reacting each other with triethylamine and tin chloride in o-chlorophenol. Blends were also prepared from the graft copolymer with nylon 6 or PEG. The thermal properties and crystalline structure of the graft copolymer and the blends were studied using differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray diffractometer. It was found that the grafting of PEG onto nylon 6 changed the crystal structure of nylon 6. It was observed that compatibilization of the nylon 6/PEG blend of 50/50 composition by weight was achieved in the presence of the graft copolymer.