Abdal-Hay, A2018-01-112018-01-112014-01-019280707https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84904051418&doi=10.1007%2fs10971-014-3337-1&partnerID=40&md5=a2335f3662583442ff7befd42e854cd4http://dspace.ucuenca.edu.ec/handle/123456789/22132In this communication, colloidal silver (Ag) nanostructures were synthesized and deposited directly onto electrospun nylon 6 (N6) fibers without using surface modifier in the form of an ultrathin conformal coating layer via a hydrothermal treatment. The morphological, structural, and thermal properties of the Ag/N6 nanocomposite membranes were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FESEM imaging showed that the Ag coating on individual N6 nanofibers was continuous, uniform, and compact. A DSC study of the nanocomposites illustrated a strong interfacial adhesion of the Ag layer with N6 nanofiber surfaces via strong hydrogen bonds. A possible mechanism for hydrogen bond formation during the hydrothermal process was proposed. Further, it was found that the transition of the meta-stable ?-form into the thermodynamically more stable ?-form of N6 structure was achieved; therefore, the hydrothermal process did not cause chain degradation. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York.en-USCoatingPolymer-Matrix CompositesSilver NpsThermal PropertiesArticle10.1007/s10971-014-3337-1