Neutron reflectivity and external reflection FTIR studies of DL-aspartic acid crystallization beneath nylon 6 spread films

Langmuir. 2004 Apr 27;20(9):3593-600. doi: 10.1021/la0361823.

Abstract

The crystallization of DL-aspartic acid beneath nylon 6 spread films has been studied for 150% supersaturated systems using neutron reflectivity and external reflection FTIR. The neutron reflectivity data showed the gradual incorporation of DL-aspartic acid within a nylon 6 spread film layer over a period of 6-8 h, culminating in over 50 vol % of the "film" layer comprising DL-aspartic acid. Accumulation of further DL-aspartic acid material to produce microscopic/macroscopic surface crystals occurred, but on a more limited scale, resulting in approximately 1-5% surface coverage of crystals over the same period. External reflection FTIR studies revealed very weak bands attributable to DL-aspartic acid in surface regions devoid of visible crystals, in agreement with the neutron reflectivity studies. In regions with visible crystals, much larger and sharper DL-aspartic acid bands were seen. Changes in the intensity of the nylon 6 NH stretch band were often observed during the visible crystallization and dissolution of DL-aspartic acid and were consistent with the reversible accumulation of nylon 6 around the growing crystals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspartic Acid / chemistry*
  • Caprolactam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Caprolactam / chemistry
  • Crystallization
  • Neutrons*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

  • Polymers
  • nylon 6
  • Aspartic Acid
  • Caprolactam