Modification and Characterization of Polyamide Nanocomposites with Organobentonite Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide

Modification of bentonite with Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) has been successfully carried out, resulting in the application of organobentonite as a filler. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of the polyamide nanocomposite material before and after the addition of organobentonite filler. Commercial bentonite after being modified with CTAB is organophilic with a particle size of 9.55 nm. The results of the Fourier Transform Infra Red spectrum analysis show that there is a wide and sharp absorption band at wave number 3749.6 cm-1 which indicates the presence of Al-OH groups. The results of Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of the surface morphology of the polyamide/organobentonite nanocomposite obtained a homogeneous and compatible mixture. The conclusion from the CTAB research results can unite polyamide and bentonite which have different polarities