Abstract
A copolymer (2,4-DHBAMF) synthesized by the condensation of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and melamine with formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalyst using varied molar proportions of the reactants. A composition of the copolymer has been determined by elemental analysis. The number average molecular weight has been determined by conductometric titration in non-aqueous medium. The copolymer has been characterized by UV-Visible, IR and 1H NMR spectral analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to study the decomposition and various kinetic parameters. Freeman Carroll and Sharp Wentworth methods have been applied for the calculation of kinetic parameters while the data from Freeman Carroll method have been used to determine various thermodynamic parameters such as order of reaction, energy of activation, frequency factor, entropy change, free energy change and apparent entropy change. The results indicate that given copolymer have potential as matrix resin for long term applications at temperature up to 350 °C.