Environment-Friendly Synthesis of Long Chain Semiaromatic Polyamides with High Heat Resistance

Long chain semiaromatic polyamides have been synthesized by the reactions of terephthalic acid with long chain aliphatic diamines, and characterized by infrared spectrum, nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. The thermal behaviors were studied by differential scanning calorimetry analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The resultant polyamides have intrinsic viscosity ranging from 1.75 to 1.93 dLg(-1). The solubility, dynamic mechanical and mechanical properties of the polyamides have also been investigated. The mechanical properties and heat resistance of long chain semiaromatic polyamides were compared with those of PA9T. PANT has the advantages of low cost and preparation from environmental friendly solvents and possesses the similar mechanical properties and heat resistance compared to PA9T. The long chain semiaromatic polyamides are a class of promising, heat-resisting and processability engineering plastics. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 2036-2042, 2009