| Abstract: | N-grafted poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)s (PPTA) were synthesized from PPTA and acrylonitrile or propylene oxide via metalation in a solution of the polymer in a sodium methylsulfinylcarbanion–dimethyl sulfoxide solvent at low temperatures. The introduction of these branches into the amide groups of PPTA increased solubility but decreased thermal stability. The effects of the branches on thermal properties and solubility are discussed. The structure of the graft copolymers is described on the basis of wide-angle x-ray diffraction, infrared spectra, and solubility. |
