Crystallization behavior of PIPD/nylon 6 blends

Abstract Blends of poly‐ε‐caprolactam (nylon6) and poly{2,6‐diimidazo[4,5‐b:4′5′‐e]pyridinylene‐1,4(2,5‐dihydroxy) phenylene} (PIPD/nylon 6) have been prepared via a controlled polymer solution crystallization method. The crystallization behavior of nylon 6 in the blends was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and polarizing microscopy (PLM). The results indicated that the presence of PIPD inhibited the nucleation rate of the crystallization of nylon 6, resulting in reduction in crystallization temperature, degree of crystallinity, and the perfection of crystal. Such influence was attributed to the formation of hydrogen bonds between nylon 6 and PIPD molecules. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers