Copolymers (p-COF) synthesized by the condensation of p-cresol and oxamide with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst and using varied molar proportion of the reacting monomers. Copolymer resin compositions were determined on the basis of their elemental analysis. The number average molecular weights of these copolymers were determined by conductometric titration in non-aqueous media. Solution viscosity measurements in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) were carried out to ascertain the characteristic functions and constants of the copolymer resins. The copolymer resins were further characterized by UV-Visible absorption spectra in the non-aqueous medium, Infra-red (IR) spectra, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and 13C NMR spectra. The morphology of resin was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal studies of the resins were carried out to determine their mode of decomposition, the activation energy (Ea), order of reaction (n), frequency factor (Z), entropy change (S), free energy change (F) and apparent entropy (S*). Thermal decomposition curves were discussed with careful attention of minute details. The Freeman-Carroll and Sharp-Wentworth methods have been used to calculate thermal activation energy and thermal stability. Thermal activation energy (Ea) calculated with these methods are in agreement with each other. The data from the Freeman-Carroll methods have been used to determine various thermodynamic parameters. The order of thermal stability of copolymers has been determined using TGA. The novelty of this study is that the resins under study have thermal stability at elevated temperature; hence these can be used in aerospace industries, automotive industries and the industries where harsh environment and thermal resistance polymers are required.
