Polyamide Fine Fibers

Abstract

Improved microfiber and nanofiber properties can be obtained from a novel nylon material. Such nylon comprises alkyl modified nylon 6, a methoxy modified nylon 8, a methoxy modified nylon 12 or other similar nylons prepared from a cyclic lactam.

1 . A fiber comprising a polyamide polymer, the fiber comprising a diameter of about 0.001 to about 5 microns; wherein the polyamide comprises an N-modified nylon of the formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein CO represents a carbonyl, R 1  is either a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, a vinyl containing chain, such as ethylene, allyl, etc., a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, such as lower alkyl chain oxides, such as methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, etc., m and n is independently an integer number from 2 to 12 and p+q is an integer number from about 10 to 5000, and the ratio of p to p+q is a number between 0.05 to 0.99. 
   
   
       2 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the nylon comprises a alkylol or a alkoxyalkyl modified nylon 6. 
   
   
       3 . The fiber of  claim 2  wherein the diameter of the fiber is about 0.01 to about 2 microns. 
   
   
       4 . The fiber of  claim 3  where the fiber polymer is crosslinked. 
   
   
       5 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the alkoxy group is derived from a lower alkyl oxide comprising methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy. 
   
   
       6 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbyl group is a lower alkyl. 
   
   
       7 . The fiber of  claim 13  wherein the lower alkyl group is methyl, ethyl or propyl. 
   
   
       8 . The fiber of  claim 12  wherein the nylon comprises a methoxy modified nylon. 
   
   
       9 . A fiber comprising a polyamide polymer, the fiber comprising a diameter of about 0.001 to about 5 microns; wherein the polyamide comprises an
 N-modified nylon of the formula II:
   —[NR 1 —(CH 2 ) m —CO—] p —[NH—(CH2) n —CO] q —  II 
   
     wherein CO represents a carbonyl, R 1  is an alkoxy group, m and n is independently an integer number from 2 to 12 and p+q is an integer number from about 10 to 5000, and the ratio of p to p+q is a number between 0.05 to 0.99. 
   
   
       10 . The fiber of  claim 9  wherein the nylon comprises a methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, modified nylon 6. 
   
   
       11 . The fiber of  claim 10  wherein the diameter of the fiber is about 0.01 to about 2 microns. 
   
   
       12 . The fiber of  claim 11  where the fiber polymer is crosslinked. 
   
   
       13 . The fiber of  claim 9  wherein the alkoxy group is methoxy.