New Types of Polyimide/Sepiolite Nanocomposite Films: Preparation and Properties

New polyimide/sepiolite nanocomposite films were prepared by in-situ polymerization via direct polycondensation of a novel diamine containing sulfone and ether groups with hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic anhydride in dimethylacetamide (DMAC) as solvent. The process involved dispersion of sepiolite in poly(amic acid) solution followed by thermal imidization to get ultimate nanocomposites. The prepared polyimide/sepiolite samples were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, and TEM. Also, physical and thermal properties of polyimide/sepiolite nanocomposites were investigated and they showed improved thermal stability and mechanical properties

Keywords:

Polyimide , sepiolite , nanocomposite , thermal properties