Two-dimensional (2D) correlation FTIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the dynamic mechanism of poly(aspartic acid) during the heating process. According to the 2D asynchronous correlation spectra, the C = O vibration band of Amide I was separated into three peaks at 1637,1645 and 1677 cm(-1), assigned to alpha helical, random coil and antiparallel conformation, respectively. And alpha helical structure would transform into the more ordered and stable conformation of beta antiparallel in heating. In the region of 3700-2700 cm(-1), the H-contained groups were analyzed; the loosening of hydroxyl is found to change prior to the NH-related hydrogen bonds and the conformational reorganization of hydrocarbon chains. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.