PEBAX<sup>TM</sup>-Silanized Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>Composite. Synthesis and Characterization

Alumina nanoparticles were dispersed in poly(amide 12-b-tetramethylene oxide) copolymer through extrusion. The alumina particles were functionalized with 3-(2 trimethoxysilylethyl) cyclohexene oxide. The following PEBAX TM/ Al2O 3 proportions were prepared: 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0% w/w. The thermal stabiity of the nanocomposites was evalu- ated by thermograviemtric analysis under N2 and was comparable to the neat PEBAXTM polymer. The thermo-oxidative degradation of the polymeric matrix by oxygen was strongly hindered by the functionalized alumina. The rule of mixture would predict that the thermal degradation should be strongly dominated by PEBAXTM matrix. Therefore, the physical mixture of PEBAXTM and silanized alumina should be almost as stable as pure PEBAXTM. However, the experimental results suggest that the nanocomposites are more stable than the mixture of their components. This stabilization effect is evident in the temperature range between 300?C and 400?C, in which the degradation of the PA12 block takes place.