Functional multiblock poly(ether-

b

-amide) (PEBA) copolymers

comprised of PA1212 (polyamide 1212) as hard segments and Jeffamine ED-2003 as soft segments

were successfully prepared

via

two-step melt polycondensation without any amidation catalyst. Here

using diamino-terminated poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) (PPO-PEO-PPO)

Jeffamine ED-2003

enhances the compatibility between polyamide oligomer and polyether

which is better than the traditional route using hydroxyl-terminated polyether. The chemical structure of multiblock PEBAs

as well as the microphase separated structure with crystalline phase of polyamide and polyether

were confirmed by heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation spectrum

heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation spectrum

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)

differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. The hydrophilic PEBA copolymers showed water adsorption ranging from 87.3% to 17.1% depending on the polyether content

and specially showed moisture responsive behavior within seconds when exposed to moisture. The corresponding mechanism was studied using time-resolved at

tenuated total reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy in the molecular level and the water diffusion coefficient was estimated to be 1.07×10

–8

cm

2

·s

-1

. Two-dimensional correlation FT-IR spectra analysis was performed to confirm that the interaction between water and polyether phase was in preference to that between water and polyamide matrix

and water molecule only forms hydrogen bond with the polyether segment. Due to the incorporation of PEO segments

the PEBAs have the surface resistivity varying from 5.6×10

9

to 6.5×10

10

Ω

which makes PEBA potential candidate as permanent antistatic agent.