Synthesis and Properties of High-Performance Thermoplastic Poly(ester-ether) Elastomers Reinforced by N,N′-Bis(2-carboxyethyl) Pyromellitimide Moieties

A series of poly(ester-imide-ether), consisting of soft segments from poly(tetramethylene glycol) and N,N ′-bis(2-carboxyethyl) pyromellitimide and hard segments based on 1,4-butanediol and N,N ′-bis(2-carboxyethyl) pyromellitimide, were synthesized via the melt polycondensation. The chemical structures of the prepared elastomers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1 HNMR, respectively. The results indicated that the introduction of aromatic bisimide groups endows the elastomers with excellent thermal stability and mechanical property, which increase with the increment of imide unit content in the prepared elastomers. Additionally, compared to the poly(ester-ether) elastomer, these poly(esterimide-ether) fibers displayed stronger tensile strength and better low-temperature elastic recovery property.