Synthesis of a novel block copolymer containing aromatic polyamide and fluoroethylene segments

A novel block copolymer containing aromatic polyamide (aramid) and fluoroethylene segments was synthesized by a two-step, low-temperature solution polycondensation. In the first step, a telechelic diamine was prepared by the reaction of 3,4′-diaminodiphenylether and tetrafluorosuccinic acid in the presence of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as a condensing agent. Next, the block copolymer was synthesized by the polycondensation of the telechelic diamine and isophthaloyl chloride. The number-average molecular weight of this polymer, according to gel permeation chromatography, was over 1.7 × 104. Incorporating fluoroethylene segments improved the solubility of the resulting polymer with respect to conventional aramids.