Full Paper: A new series of semi-crystalline polyamides (PA), which comprise extended aliphatic segments between the amide moieties and which display an interesting amphiphilic character has been synthesized and characterized. The polymers PA-2.34, PA-4.34, PA-8.34, PA-10.34, and PA-12.34 were prepared by melt-polycondensation of salts of tetratriacontanedioic acid and the respective short-chain diamine. The thermal properties of these polymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The new polyamides exhibit melting temperatures that depend on the length of the diamine and range between 166 (PA-12.34) and 190degreesC (PA-2.34). Solid transitions were observed between 38 and 57degreesC. The, materials displayed a rather limited solubility in common polyamide solvents, but readily dissolved in alkylsulfonic acids. All members of the series formed thermo-reversible gels in the highly polar sulfuric acid and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, reflecting their interesting amphiphilic character. Young's moduli and tensile strengths of melt-processed, isotropic films of the polyamides investigated were in the range of 0.5-0.7 GPa and 20.30 MPa, respectively, independent of the length of the diamine used. References: 16
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