Thermodynamic characterization of the melting of a series of polyesteramides

The changes in enthalpy, entropy and volume upon melting have been determined by dilatometric and differential scanning calorimetry measurements for four polyesteramides of the type:

$\text{-[-}\text{COφCONH(CH}{}_2\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{}\text{NHCOφCOO(CH}{}_2\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{m}}\text{}\text{O}\text{-]-}{}_{\mathrm{x}}$

with the following values for n and m; 6-6, 12-2, 12-6 and 12-12. The changes in each state function vary quite regularly with the number of CH₂ groups/repeating unit. A comparison is made between experimental data on the entropy of fusion and theoretical predictions. There is emphasis on the influence on the thermodynamics of melting of the rigidity of the -OCO-φ-CONH- residues and, in particular, of the persistence in the molten state of many interchain hydrogen bonds.