Abstract
Hybrid nanocomposites (NCs) produced by the dispersion of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) in thermoplastic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) are designed and synthesized using ultrasonic-assisted technology. ZnO NPs were functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) coupling agent to increase the hydrophobic nature of NPs. Reaction of diamine containing N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) benzamide and a diacid chloride comprising pyromellitoyl-bis-ʟ-isoleucine segments at low temperature provided the polymeric matrix with well-designed groups. Surface treatments of ZnO NPs gave a better dispersion and enhancing possible interactions of NPs with functional units of polymer matrix. The surface-modified ZnO NPs were dispersed uniformly in the PAIs matrix using ultrasonic irradiation. The obtained NCs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetry analysis. The FE-SEM and TEM pictures confirmed the globular-like structures for NCs.