Poly(amideimide)s containing pendant pentadecyl chains: Synthesis and characterization

A new aromatic diacylhydrazide monomer viz., 4-[4′-(hydrazinocarbonyl)phenoxy]-2- pentadecylbenzohydrazide was synthesized starting from cardanol, which in turn is obtainable from cashew nut shell liquid - a renewable resource material. A series of new poly(amideimide)s containing flexibilizing ether linkages and pendant pentadecyl chains was synthesized from 4-[4′-(hydrazinocarbonyl)phenoxy]-2-pentadecylbenzohydrazide and commercially available aromatic dianhydrides, viz., benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, benzophenone-3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride and 4,4′-(hexafluoro isopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride by a two-step solution polycondensation in N,N-dimethylacetamide via the poly(hydrazide acid) intermediate. Inherent viscosities of poly(amideimide)s were in the range 0.60-0.64 dL/g in N,N-dimethylacetamide at 30 ± 0.1 °C. Poly(amideimide)s could be solution cast into tough, transparent and flexible films from their N,N-dimethylacetamide solutions. The solubility of poly(amideimide)s was significantly improved by incorporation of pendant pentadecyl chains and were found to be soluble in N,N-dimethylacetamide, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, pyridine and m-cresol at room temperature or upon heating. Wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns of poly(amideimide)s revealed a broad halo at around 2θ = ∼19° suggesting that polymers were amorphous in nature. In the small-angle region, diffuse to sharp reflections of a typically layered structure resulting from the packing of pentadecyl side chains were observed. The temperature at 10% weight loss (T10), determined by TGA in nitrogen atmosphere, of poly(amideimide)s was in the range of 388-410 °C indicating their good thermal stability. Glass transition temperatures of poly(amideimide)s were in the range 162-198 °C. It was observed that the plasticization effect of attached pentadecyl side chains induced the depression of Tg.