Polycaprolactam(mw 25,000)

• CAS: 25038-54-4
• Catalog Number: ALC-FP-25038544
• Category: Featured Products
• Molecular Formula: (C6H11NO)n
• Appearance: Opaque pellets
• Sample Lot No.: A23M1012x034
• Volatiles: Max.2.00%

Case Study

Polycaprolactam Functionalization with Papain for Antibiofilm Food Packaging Applications

Prabhawathi V, et al. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2014, 123, 461-468.

In this study, polycaprolactam films were pre-activated by sequential treatment with 20% anhydrous CaCl₂, 20% deionized water, and 60% methanol for 1 h, followed by partial hydrolysis in 6 M HCl. The pretreated films were then suspended in 25 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) containing 0.025% glutaraldehyde at 25 °C for 12 h to introduce reactive aldehyde groups. Papain (1% w/v) was subsequently covalently immobilized onto the activated polycaprolactam under mild stirring, and excess enzyme and crosslinker were removed by buffer washing. These functionalized films exhibited markedly reduced E. coli biofilm formation during cheese packaging tests, with bacterial counts decreasing from 50 × 10⁶ CFU/ml on non-functionalized films to 20 × 10² CFU/ml after 30 days. Spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, Raman) confirmed reduced polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, correlating with altered bacterial motility, surface hydrophobicity, and zeta potential, thereby demonstrating the material's enhanced antibiofilm performance.

Polycaprolactam Nanocomposites Reinforced with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Reduced Thermal Expansion

Chen J, et al. Results in Physics, 2019, 12, 1645-1652.

This study investigates the experimental preparation of polycaprolactam nanocomposites reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to minimize thermal expansion. Polycaprolactam was melt-processed with varying SWCNT loadings and aspect ratios under controlled thermal histories. High-shear extrusion combined with subsequent directional molding was employed to enhance filler dispersion and induce flow-aligned orientation of SWCNTs within the polymer matrix. The alignment and dispersion were verified by microscopy and rheological measurements, ensuring uniform phase geometry. Thermal expansion coefficients were determined along and across the flow direction, demonstrating strong anisotropy linked to SWCNT orientation. Results revealed that higher aspect ratios and loadings of SWCNTs significantly reduced the linear thermal expansion, with a clear linear correlation between Young's modulus and thermal expansion. This method highlights a scalable approach to engineer polycaprolactam nanocomposites with superior dimensional stability for high-performance applications.

Polycaprolactam-Based Antimicrobial Nanocomposite for Biomedical Applications

Prabhawathi V, et al. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 2019, 94, 656-665.

A novel antimicrobial platform was developed by immobilizing subtilisin-conjugated Au/Ag core-shell nanoparticles (AuAgSNPs) on polycaprolactam (PCL). AuAgSNPs (120-130 nm) were synthesized under controlled conditions to prevent silver oxidation and conjugated with subtilisin to enhance antibiofilm efficacy. Pre-activated PCL films were treated with 0.5% glutaraldehyde to generate reactive sites and subsequently exposed to 1% AuAgSNP suspension under mild stirring for 20 h, promoting stable crosslinking between nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. The resulting AuAgSNP-PCL composites demonstrated significant inhibition of S. aureus and E. coli biofilm formation due to subtilisin-mediated degradation of bacterial adhesive proteins. Activity retention studies performed in phosphate buffer (pH 7, 4 °C) over one month confirmed prolonged enzymatic functionality after immobilization compared to spin-coated films. The composite exhibited minimal cytotoxicity to 3T3 fibroblasts at MIC levels and promoted fibroblast proliferation, indicating potential for safe, long-term use in medical implants and device coatings.

Polycaprolactam Nanocomposites Incorporating Carbon-Based Fillers for Enhanced Barrier and Conductive Properties

Méndez R, et al. Polymer, 2017, 130, 10-16.

Polycaprolactam (PA6) nanocomposites containing thermally reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were engineered to improve gas barrier, mechanical, and electrical properties. The materials were fabricated by melt blending in a Brabender PlastiCorder twin-screw mixer at 260 °C and 100 rpm under nitrogen, processing 30 g batches of PA6 with 1-15 wt% filler. Prior to blending, PA6, CNTs, and TrGO were vacuum-dried at 80 °C for 16 h to minimize moisture. TrGO-based films exhibited markedly reduced oxygen and water vapor permeability due to increased tortuosity, while CNT-based composites displayed superior electrical conductivity with a lower percolation threshold, reaching stable conductivity near 10 wt%. TrGO systems showed progressive conductivity improvement up to 15 wt% without saturation and slightly higher elastic modulus than CNT systems. This study highlights melt blending as an effective route for tailoring PA6 nanocomposite performance for barrier-sensitive and conductive applications.

Polycaprolactam-Based Nanofibrous Filter Paper for Enhanced Cr(VI) Removal

Li Z, et al. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2016, 494, 65-73.

Chitosan/polycaprolactam (PA6) nanofibrous filter papers were fabricated via electrospinning to improve chromium(VI) adsorption. The spinning solution comprised 1.5 g PA6 dissolved in a mixed HCOOH/HFIP solvent (7:3 v/v), followed by the addition of 0.2-0.4 g chitosan with 2 h stirring. Electrospinning was conducted at 20 kV with a 15 cm collector distance, 0.5 mm needle, and 0.4 mL h⁻¹ feed rate. The resulting membranes were compressed for 2 min to ensure structural integrity. FT-IR and SEM confirmed hydrogen-bond interactions and reduced fiber diameter with increasing chitosan content. Under filtration, the nanofibrous papers exhibited a markedly higher Cr(VI) adsorption capacity (114.7 mg g⁻¹) than static or shaking modes due to full membrane utilization. XPS suggested electrostatic adsorption followed by Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) by chitosan amino groups, enabling efficient, reusable heavy-metal removal.