Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable polyesteramides constructed mainly by alternating diesterdiamide units from N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-adipamide and diacids

Two kinds of aliphatic alternating polyesteramide prepolymers were prepared through melt polycondensation from N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-adipamide and adipic acid or sebacic acid. Chain extension of them was conducted with 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)-bis(2-oxazoline) and adipoyl biscaprolactamate as combined chain extenders. The chain extended polyesteramides (ExtPEAs) were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide angle X-ray scattering, tensile test and enzymatic degradation. The results showed that the ExtPEA(4,m)s were mainly constituted with the diester adipamide alternating units. ExtPEA(4,4) and ExtPEA(4,8) had Tm of 83.8°C and 85.8°C and initial decomposition temperature above 310.0°C. They crystallized similarly as Nylon-66 did and were flexible thermoplastic materials with tensile strength up to 25.64 MPa and strain at break up to 737%.