Synthesis and Characterization of Some New Thermally Stable Crystalline Polyamides and Co-Polyamides Bearing Bipyridine Side-Chain Groups

A new series of polyamides and co-polyamides were synthesized via reaction of a newly synthesized bipyridine containing diamine, 4,6-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine, with commercial diacides. The synthesized polymers were characterized by FT-IR and H-1-NMR spectroscopy. The physical properties of the polymers including solubility and viscosity were studied and the results showed acceptable solubility and good chain growth for the polymers. Thermal stability of these polymers was also studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The polymers start to lose weight because of thermal degradation at about 350 degrees C. From differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the polymers showed a T-g between 160 and 180 degrees C. The morphology of these polymers was also investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the results showed good crystallinity. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011