Facile preparation and characterization of soluble aramid

ABSTRACT It remains a problem to prepare cost‐effective aramid with good solubility via a simple method since the commercialization of aromatic polyamides such as Kevlar and Nomex by DuPont in 1960s. Herein, we report the facile preparation and properties of an aromatic polyamide copolymerized by 2,6‐naphthalene dichloride (26N‐COCl), 4,4′‐oxydianiline, and m ‐phenylenediamine. The synthetic route is very facile and cost‐effective. The modified aramids possess excellent comprehensive properties. The polymers are soluble in some organics. Their thermal stabilities are excellent, with 5% weight loss temperatures ( T d ,5% 's) in air higher than 460 °C and glass transition temperatures ( T g 's) higher than 280 °C. These polymers are easily processed into films, fibers, and tubes. The products exhibit high strength. For example, the films have excellent mechanical strength, with a tensile strength up to 139 MPa, a tensile modulus up to 3.45 GPa, and an elongation of 11%. The films are also transparent and fluorescent. The overall properties are better than those of the commercial Nomex. The facilely prepared aramids with good solubility are very promising for commercial use. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 46341.