Preparation and properties of polyimide-based nanocomposites containing functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Abstract

Polyimide (PI)/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were successfully prepared via the thermal curing of different amounts of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (2, 4, 6 and 8 wt%) functionalized by 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane as a coupling agent, containing the poly(amic acid) derived from 5-diamino- N-(4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol)phenyl)benzamide and 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride. The effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the structural, thermal and magnetic properties of nanocomposites was investigated. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results reveal that the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles is sufficiently compatible with PI through linkage of the coupling agent between Fe3O4 and the polymer. Also, the SEM image shows that Fe3O4 nanoparticles are dispersed uniformly in the polymer matrix, with a particle size of around 78 nm. The nanocomposites of 2 and 8 wt% exhibit the saturation magnetization values of 0.055 and 0.170 emu g− 1, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis data show that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites is improved as compared to the pure PI.