Synthesis and Characterization of Processable Aromatic Polyimides

Abstract

Two novel aromatic diamine monomers, Bis-4,4′[(4-aminophenyl-2,2′-isopropylidene phenyloxy)] diphenylsulfone and Bis-4,4′[(4-aminophenyl-2,2′-isopropylidene phenyloxy)] benzophenone were synthesized and characterized by IR and 1H-NMR. A series of processable polyimides were prepared by polycondensation of diamines with aromatic dianhydrides. The polyimides were characterized by infrared, 1H-NMR, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, gel-permeation chromatography, solution viscosity and solubility. Polyimides were soluble in polar approtic solvents and increases in solubility in common organic solvents were observed due to the presence of flexible groups and methyl groups in the chain backbone. The polyimides exhibited good thermal stability, and the temperature at which 10% weight loss occurred ranged from 378 to 465 °C in nitrogen. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the polyimides were amorphous.