Synthesis of diblock copolymers with cellulose derivatives. 2. Characterization and thermal properties of cellulose triacetate-block-oligoamide-15

Well-defined A-block-B type cellulose derivatives consisting of cellulose triacetate (CTA) and oligoamide-15 were synthesized. Chemical structures of the diblock copolymers were characterized by MALDI-TOF MS, H-1-NMR, and GPC. Influence of length of CTA and oligoamide-15 segments on their thermal properties was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All diblock copolymers displayed T-g, T-c, and T-m transition temperatures. Their T-g and T-m values increased with the increase of molecular weight of CTA segment. The crystallinity of diblock copolymers increased after isothermal crystallization at 200 degrees C. Its X-ray analysis revealed that the diblock copolymer had CTA II crystal structure. Thermal analysis supported microphase separation between CTA and oligoamide-15 segments at room temperature, because T-g and T-m values of polyamide-15 are -7 degrees C and 170-180 degrees C, respectively.