Aromatic Poly(ether imide)s Containing Nitrile Groups

Abstract

A novel series of organosoluble poly(ether imide)s containing nitrile groups was prepared by solution polycondensation reaction of an aromatic diamine, namely 4-[bis(4-aminophenyl)amino]benzonitrile with different aromatic bis(ether anhydride)s, such as 2,2-bis[(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2,2-bis[(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride, 2,2'-bis[(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]-1,4-phenylene-diisopropylidened dianhydride, 1,1-bis[(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]cyclohexane and 9,9-bis[(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]fluorene dianhydride. The polymers were readily soluble in polar organic solvents, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and N, N-dimethylformamide as well as in less polar organic solvents such as chloroform, and could be cast from solution to form thin flexible films. The gel permeation chromatography measurements revealed that the polymers had number-average and weight-average molecular weights up to 58 000 and 100 000 g mol-1, respectively. Their inherent viscosities were in the range of 0.37—0.67 dL g -1 . Thermogravimetric analysis showed that all polymers were stable up to 500 °C with 10% weight losses recorded from 535 to 600 °C in air. The polymers exhibited a glass transition in the temperature range of 224—279 °C, with reasonable interval between glass transition and decomposition temperature. A composite film based on a poly(ether imide) and pyrite ash powder was prepared and its nanoactuation was investigated.