Halloysite nanotubes filled thymol as photo protectors of biobased Polyamide 11

In this work, we have investigated the photo-oxidative degradation processes occurring on PA11 composites based on thymol and halloysite nanotubes prepared by ball-milling method. In particular, halloysite nanotubes were used as green nano-container of a natural antioxidant molecule, and reinforced nano-filler as well. Molecular and structural information of photo-exposed samples were obtained by using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Thermal and mechanical properties were also tested as well as thymol release. Data confirmed that PA11 filled with HNTs-Thymol nano-hybrid showed superior durability performance if compared to both pure PA11 and PA 11 blend HNTs-thymol/PA11.