Star-branched polyamide 6 was prepared via anionic ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactam in
the presence of a simple benzene-centered trifunctional activator of N,N0 ,N00-trimesoyltricaprolactam. A
high polymer yields of above 95% were achieved at 160 8C for 15 min utilizing e-caprolactam magnesium
bromide as a catalyst. Compared with its linear counterpart, the resultant star-branched polyamide 6
showed smaller relative viscosity (1.51), decreased melting temperature (218 8C) and lower crystallinity
(24.2%). The specific properties demonstrated the existence of a star-branched structure and provided
potential advantages in engineering applications.