Soluble aromatic polyamide bearing ether linkages: synthesis and characterization

Soluble aromatic polyamide chains were prepared by reacting 4-4'-oxydianiline with isophthaloyl chloride in dimethylacetamide. To quench the HCl produced during the polymerization reaction, a stoichiometric amount of triethylamine was added. The precipitates formed were separated leaving behind clear polyamide resin. Thin and transparent film was obtained by evaporating the solvent and was subjected for Fourier transform infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, water absorption, and mechanical analyses. The transparent film was found to be soluble in dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and dimethylformamide. IR and NMR spectroscopic analyses confirmed the structure of the polyamide while the gel permeation chromatography revealed the formation of a high-molecular-weight polymer. Thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, water absorption, and mechanical testing were also performed to further verify its physical properties. A soluble aromatic polyamide was successfully synthesized by solution polymerization and characterized. The polyamide has film-forming property, and the film is transparent, mechanically strong, and thermally stable.