POS7-0083
Enhancing the Mechanical Performance of Bio-based Poly(ester-amide) Nanocomposites with Aramid Nanofibers
Topic
S7. Innovations in Polymeric Composites: From Design and Processing to Industrial Applications
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Yibeen Na (Kyung Hee University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Sustainable polyamide-based materials are increasingly demanded as alternatives to petroleum-derived engineering plastics. Here, we report a bio-based poly(ester-amide) copolymer prepared by melt copolymerization of three biomass-derived monomers: 1,4-butanediol (bio-BDO), dodecanedioic acid (bio-DDDA), and caprolactam (CPL). The reaction was conducted in a single reactor though two sequential stages, esterification/amidation followed by polycondensation, affording a copolymer that integrates rigid amide blocks with flexible aliphatic ester segments. This molecular design aims to retain the strength and thermal resistance characteristic of polyamides while improving chain mobility and melt processability. To compensate for the reduction in stiffness associated with ester incorporation, aramid nanofibers (ANFs) featuring exceptional tensile strength and thermal robustness were incorporated as a nanoscale reinforcement. The ANFs were dispersed into the copolymer matrix to yield nanocomposites, and their influence on tensile behavior, thermal transitions, and microstructure was systematically examined. The ANFs were found to function as efficient load-bearing fillers, leading to enhancements in tensile strength and stiffness. Overall, the proposed bio-based poly(ester-amide)/ANF nanocomposite system presents a viable strategy for combining renewable content with mechanical performance, offering a sustainable platform for next-generation engineering polymers.
