| Abstract: | Homopolymers and copolymers containing the polybenzimidazoles ring were prepared from terephthalic acid (T), fumaric acid (F), and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine tetrachloride (DAB) in polyphosphoric acid. The polymers were characterized by viscometry, infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen analyses. The effect of copolymer composition on the ultraviolet and visible spectra, solubility in various solvents, and density was also investigated. The relative thermal stability of the various polybenzimidazoles was investigated by using dynamic thermogravimetry in air. Polybenzimidazole derived from terephthalic acid was most stable, and the introduction of aliphatic residues resulted in a decrease in thermal stability. However, the homopolymer of fumaric acid was more stable than the copolymers of fumaric acid and terephthalic acid. |
