Micro-flowers of poly(p-phenylene pyromelliteimide) crystals

Morphology control of poly(p-phenylene pyromelliteimide) (PPPI) crystals was examined using reaction-induced crystallization of oligomers during solution polymerization of self-polymerizable N-(4′-aminophenyl)-3-carboxyl-4-alkoxycarbonylphthalimide. Micro-flowers of the PPPI needle-like crystals were formed in which the needle-like crystals grew radially from the center part as petals. The molecules aligned regularly along the long axis of the needle-like crystal. The structure of alkoxy group in the monomer and the monomer concentration influenced the size of the needle-like crystals, and their average length and width were changeable from 640 nm to 1.69 μm and from 110 nm to 210 nm, respectively. The average thickness was 20 nm. The obtained micro-flowers possessed high crystallinity and exhibited excellent thermal stability.     

Polybenzimidazole containing benzimidazole side groups for high-temperature fuel cell applications

A polybenzimidazole (PBI) containing bulky basic benzimidazole side groups, poly[2,2′-(2-benzimidazole-p-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole] (BIpPBI), was prepared via the condensation polymerization of 3,3′-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride dihydrate with 2-benzimidazole terephthalic acid in PPA. BIpPBI was found to be soluble in aprotic polar solvents without the addition of inorganic salts, such as lithium chloride, and the BIpPBI film also showed very good acid retention capability as well as very high proton conductivity. The maximum acid content of the BIpPBI film was approximately 81 wt.% and the proton conductivity value of the acid-doped BIpPBI membrane was 0.16 S cm⁻¹ at 180 °C and a 0% relative humidity. For comparison, the maximum proton conductivity of the most commonly used polymer for the high-temperature fuel cell membrane, poly[2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole] (mPBI) membrane, is approximately 0.06 S·cm⁻¹ at 180 °C under anhydrous conditions at a 65 wt.% acid content, which is the maximum acid content that a mPBI membrane can have.     

Preparation of brush-like crystals of poly[2,6-(1,4-phenylene)-benzobisimidazole]

Poly[2,6-(1,4-phenylene)-benzobisimidazole] (PPBI) crystals were prepared by using reaction-induced crystallization of oligomers during solution polymerization of 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzene and diphenyl terephthalate. Polymerizations were carried out at a monomer concentration of 4.3 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ at 350 °C for 6 h. Brush-like PPBI crystals were obtained in a mixture of structural isomers of dibenzyltoluene, in which many needle-like crystals came out vertically from the surface of the ribbon-like crystals. Average width and thickness of the ribbon-like crystals were 0.75 μm and 0.11 μm, respectively. And average length and diameter of the needle-like crystals were 0.36 μm and 50 nm, respectively. The brush-like crystals possessed high crystallinity and exhibited good thermal resistance. The ribbon-like crystals were formed by the crystallization of imidazole oligomers at an initial stage of polymerization, and then the needle-like crystals grew from the surface of the ribbon-like crystals. Polymerization occurred on the crystals when the oligomers were crystallized, leading to the high molecular weight PPBI crystals.     

Morphology control of various aromatic polyimides by using phase separation during polymerization

Morphology control of various aromatic polyimides representative as poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene pyromelliteimide) was examined by using the phase separation during solution polymerization. Polymerizations of aromatic dianhydrides and aromatic diamines to the polyimides were carried out in poor solvents at 240-330 °C for 6 h with no stirring. Polymerization concentrations were from 0.25% to 3.0%. The polyimides were obtained as yellow precipitates. Two categorized morphologies were created, which were particles and crystals exhibiting lath-like and plate-like habits. These morphologies of polyimides could be selectively controlled by the polymerization conditions. The higher concentrations, less miscible solvents and lower temperatures were preferable to yield the particles via liquid-liquid phase separation. On the contrary, the lower concentration, miscible solvents and higher temperature were desirable to yield the crystals. The polyimide precipitates showed high crystallinity and possessed excellent thermal stability at which the 10 wt% loss temperatures in N₂ were in the range of 590-694 °C.     

Molecular simulations of neat, hydrated, and phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazoles. Part 1: Poly(2,2′-m-phenylene-5,5′-bibenzimidazole) (PBI), poly(2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI), and poly(p-phenylene benzobisimidazole) (PBDI)

Results of atomistic simulations of three polybenzimidazoles—poly(2,2′-m-phenylene-5,5′-bibenzimidazole) (PBI), poly(2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI), and poly(p-phenylene benzobisimidazole) (PBDI)—are reported in this communication. The effect of hydration and phosphoric acid (PA)-doping on the properties of these polybenzimidazoles have been studied. Densities and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns of the neat and PA-doped polybenzimidazoles agree well with available experimental results. Hydrogen bonding was examined in two ways. Radial distribution functions (RDFs) were used to measure bond lengths and the quantities of distinct types of bonds were counted. Both methods agree well with each other and indicate the strength of hydrogen bonding is mainly determined by the donor. Donor strength decreases in the order PA > water > polybenzimidazole. In the case that donors are the same, the hydroxyl oxygen atom in PA acting as acceptor forms the strongest hydrogen bond compared to other types of hydrogen acceptors. In addition, results suggest that PBI is less hydrophilic and has a lower affinity towards PA than either ABPBI or PBDI.     

Synthesis of novel sulfonated polybenzimidazole and preparation of cross-linked membranes for fuel cell application

A novel sulfonated polybenzimidazole, sulfonated poly[2,2′-(p-oxydiphenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole] (SOPBI), was successfully prepared by post-sulfonation reaction of the parent polymer, poly[2,2′-(p-oxydiphenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole] (OPBI), using concentrated and fuming sulfuric acid as the sulfonating reagent at 80 °C, and the degree of sulfonation (DS) could be regulated by controlling the reaction conditions. No significant polymer degradation was observed in the post-sulfonation processes. Direct polymerization of 4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl ether-2,2′-disulfonic acid disodium salt (DCDPEDS) and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DABz), however, resulted in insoluble gels either in polyphosphoric acid (PPA) or in phosphorus pentoxide/methanesulfonic acid (PPMA) in a ratio of 1:10 by weight reaction medium. The SOPBIs prepared by the post-sulfonation method showed good solubility in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), high thermal stability, good film forming ability and excellent mechanical properties. Cross-linked SOPBI membranes were successfully prepared by thermal treatment of phosphoric acid-doped SOPBI membranes at 180 °C in vacuo for 20 h and the resulting cross-linked membranes showed much improved water stability and radical oxidative stability in comparison with the corresponding uncross-linked ones, while the proton conductivity did not change largely. Highly proton conductive (150 mS cm⁻¹, 120 °C in water) and water stable SOPBI membrane was developed.     

Synthesis and properties of organosoluble polyimides based on 2,2′-diphenoxy-4,4′,5,5′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride

A novel method for the preparation of 2,2′-diphenoxy-4,4′,5,5′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride have been investigated. This new dianhydride contains flexible phenoxy side chain and a twist biphenyl moiety and it was synthesized by the nitration of an N-methyl protected 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and subsequent aromatic nucleophilic substitution with phenoxide. The overall yield was up to 75%. The dianhydride was polymerized with five different aromatic diamines to afford a series of aromatic polyimides. The polyimide properties such as inherent viscosity, solubility, UV transparency and thermaloxidative properties were investigated to illustrate the contribution of the introduction of phenoxy group at 2- and 2′-position of BPDA dianhydride. The resulting polyimides possessed excellent solubility in the fact that the polyimide containing rigid diamines such as 1,4-phenylenediamine and 4,4′-oxydianiline were soluble in various solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and chloroform. The glass-transition temperatures of the polymers were in the range of 255-283 °C. These polymers exhibited good thermal stability with the temperatures at 5% weight loss range from 470 to 528 °C in nitrogen and 451 to 521 °C in air, respectively. The polyimide films were found to be transparent, flexible, and tough. The films had a tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus in the ranges 105-168 MPa, 15-51%, 1.87-2.38 GPa, respectively.     

Morphology control of various aromatic Polyimidazoles—preparation of nanofibers

Morphology of four kinds of aromatic polyimidazoles was examined by using reaction‐induced crystallization during solution polymerization at a concentration of 1% at 350°C in liquid paraffin (LPF), dibenzyltoluene (DBT), and the mixture of these solvents. Aggregates of ribbon‐like crystals of poly[2,6‐(2,6‐naphthalene)‐benzobisimidazole] were obtained in LPF, and those of plate‐like crystals were obtained in DBT/LPF‐50 and in DBT. In contrast to this, the network structures of poly[2,2′‐(2,6‐naphthalene)‐5,5′‐bibenzimidazole)] (PNT‐BBI) nanofibers with the diameter of 25 to 90 nm was mainly obtained in DBT. The network structures of the PNT‐BBI nanofibers could be recognized as nonwoven fabrics of the high‐performance polymers. Imidazole trimers were precipitated to form the ribbon‐like crystals and then they were continuously supplied from solution to grow the crystals. Molecular weight increased by the polymerization on the surface of the crystals when they crystallized and in the crystals. The initially formed aggregates of ribbon‐like crystals changed to the nanofibers with time. In the case of poly[2,6‐(4,4′‐biphenylene)‐benzobisimidazole] and poly[2,2′‐(4,4′‐biphenylene)‐5,5′‐bibenzimidazole)], they exhibited various morphologies such as spheres, lath‐like crystals, and the spherical aggregates of lath‐like crystals depending on the solvent, but fibers like PNT‐BBI were not formed. The crystals obtained in this study possessed very high crystallinity and the outstanding thermal stability measured by TGA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Organosoluble and optically transparent fluorine-containing polyimides based on 4,4′-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl

A novel fluorinated diamine monomer, 4,4′-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl, was prepared by a nucleophilic chloro-displacement reaction of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-biphenol with 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride and subsequent reduction of the intermediate dinitro compound. The diamine was reacted with aromatic dianhydrides to form polyimides via a two-step polycondensation method; formation of poly(amic acid)s, followed by thermal imidization. All the resulting polyimides were readily soluble in many organic solvents and exhibited excellent film forming ability. The polyimides exhibited high T_g (312-351 °C), good thermal stability, and good mechanical properties. Low moisture absorptions (0.2-1.1 wt%), low dielectric constants (2.54-3.64 at 10 kHz), and low color intensity were also observed.     

Electropolymerization under potentiodynamic and potentiostatic conditions: Spectroelectrochemical study on electrosynthesis of poly[4,4′-bis(2-methylbutylthio)-2,2′-bithiophene]

In order to perform an in-depth study on the electropolymerization mechanism of bis(alkyl)-substituted bithiophenes, poly[4,4′-bis(metylbutylthio)-2,2′-bithiophene] (poly-MBTBT) has been electrogenerated by using both potentiodynamic and potentiostatic techniques under different experimental conditions. Bidimensional spectroelectrochemical data have allowed us to obtain valuable information about both the polymer and the soluble oligomers electrogenerated in the process. The same kind of oligomers has been observed in the potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polymerization.     

Catalysts for the preparation of polybenzimidazoles

The single-stage preparation of poly[2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole] (PBI), from 3,3′,4,4′-tetraaminobiphenyl (TAB) with isophthalic acid (IPA) in the presence of a catalyst, was explored and developed. The effects of a variety of catalysts on the polymerization of TAB with IPA and/or diphenyl isophthalate were screened and evaluated. Many organo phosphorus and silicon compounds catalyzed the PBI condensation reactions, increased the molecular weight, and improved the quality of PBI polymers. Fiber and reverse osmosis membrane properties of PBI prepared from TAB and IPA were comparable to those for commercial standard PBI prepared from TAB and diphenyl isophthalate. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Proton conducting membranes based on semi-interpenetrating polymer network of Nafion and polybenzimidazole

A new strategy to prepare the reinforced composite membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), which can work both in humidified and anhydrous state, was proposed via constructing semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) structure from polybenzimidazole (PBI) and Nafion^®212, with N-vinylimidazole as the crosslinker. The crosslinkable PBI was synthesized from poly(2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole) and p-vinylbenzyl chloride. The semi-IPN structure was formed during the membrane preparation. The composite membranes exhibit excellent thermal stability, high-dimensional stability, and significantly improved mechanical properties compared with Nafion^®212. The proton transport in the hydrated composite membranes is mainly contributed by the vehicle mechanism, with proton conductivity from ∼10⁻² S/cm to ∼10⁻¹ S/cm. When the temperature exceeds 100 °C, the proton conductivity of the semi-IPN membranes decreases quickly due to the dehydration of the membranes. Under anhydrous condition, the proton conductivity of the membranes will drop to ∼10⁻⁴ S/cm, which is also useful for intermediate temperature (100-200 °C) PEMFCs. The benzimidazole structure of PBI and the acidic component of Nafion^® provide the possibility for the proton mobility via structure diffusion involving proton transfer between the heterocycles with a corresponding reorganization of the hydrogen bonded network.     

Dynamic-mechanical behavior of polyethylenes and ethene-/α-olefin-copolymers. Part I. α′-Relaxation

Polyethylenes and polyethylene/α-olefin-copolymers covering a range in crystallinity between 12 and 85% were investigated by means of dynamic-mechanical measurements between −145 °C and their melting point. From the temperature and frequency dependence of the complex modulus α′-, α-, β- and γ-relaxations were analyzed. The α′-relaxation was discovered in all HDPE-, LDPE- and LLDPE-samples but not in plastomer- and elastomer-samples. The activation energies (30-140 kJ/mol) of this relaxation were found to decrease with increasing crystallinity. The α′-transition temperature at a fixed frequency rises with increasing degree of crystallinity and tends to reach the melting point when approaching the fully crystalline state. Thus, it is concluded that the α′-relaxation originates from the interface between crystal lamellae and amorphous interlamellar regions. By extrapolation of the storage modulus to the amorphous state the entanglement molar mass was calculated as 2300 g/mol for a completely amorphous polyethylene/α-olefin-copolymer.     

Synthesis and characterization of new UV absorbing microspheres of narrow size distribution by dispersion polymerization of 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methacryloxyethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole

New UV absorbing microspheres of sizes ranging between 0.2 ± 0.03 and 3.0 ± 0.2 μm were formed by dispersion polymerization of the monomer 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methacryloxyethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (trade name: NORBLOC) in methyl ethyl ketone as a continuous phase. The effect of various polymerization parameters, such as monomer concentration, initiator type and concentration, stabilizer concentration and crosslinker monomer concentration, on the size and size distribution, and on the polymerization yield of the produced PNORBLOC microspheres has been elucidated. Polyethylene/PNORBLOC resins and films of 150 ± 25 μm thickness were prepared by melt blending of low density polyethylene with 2% (w/w) PNORBLOC microspheres of 0.25 ± 0.03 μm diameters, followed by a tubular blown process at 170-190 °C. The UV irradiation (200-390 nm) cut-off efficiency of these films has been demonstrated.     

The influence of 2,2′-dipyridyl on non-formaldehyde electroless copper plating

High electroless copper deposition rates can be achieved using hypophosphite as the reducing agent. However, the high deposition rate also results in dark deposits. In the hypophosphite baths, nickel ions (0.0057 M with Ni²⁺/Cu²⁺ mole ratio 0.14) were used to catalyze hypophosphite oxidation. In this study, additives (e.g. 2,2′-dipyridyl) were investigated to improve the microstructure and properties of the copper deposits in the hypophosphite (non-formaldehyde) baths. The influence of 2,2′-dipyridyl on the deposit composition, structure, properties, and the electrochemical reactions of hypophosphite (oxidation) and cupric ion (reduction) have been investigated. The electroless deposition rate decreased with the addition of 2,2′-dipyridyl to the plating solution and the color of the deposits changed from dark brown to a semi-bright with improved uniformity. The deposits also had smaller crystallite size and higher (1 1 1) plane orientation with the use of 2,2′-dipyridyl. The resistivity and nickel content of the deposit were not affected by 2,2′-dipyridyl additions to the bath. The electrochemical current-voltage results show that 2,2′-dipyridyl inhibits the catalytic oxidation of hypophosphite at the active nickel site. This results in a more negative electroless deposition potential and lower deposition rate.     

Porous zirconium and tin phosphonates incorporating 2,2′-bipyridine as supports for palladium nanoparticles

We have utilized a 2,2′-bipyridinediyl-5,5′-bis(phosphonate) crosslinker and methylphosphonate as a ‘spacer’ unit to prepare a series of porous Zr^IV and Sn^IV phosphonates which possess covalently bound bipyridine moieties. The materials are agglomerates of 5-20 nm particles which show BET surface areas exceeding 500 m²/g. The surface area and size of the phosphonate nanoparticles have been shown to be strongly dependent on the amount of methylphosphonate spacer unit. These hybrid materials are stable to >450 °C in TGA under air. The compounds have been used to coordinate Pd^II from solution, which was then reduced to form nanoparticles within the phosphonate matrix. After reduction, the bipyridyl sites are no longer occupied by Pd^II, and are available for further coordination. The Pd⁰ nanoparticles can be made in two different size regimes: 10-15 nm by reduction in ethanol and 2-4 nm when reduced at elevated temperature under hydrogen. The nanoparticles are stable to 450 °C and are maintained without the use of surfactants or stabilizers. Increasing the reduction temperature has no evident effect on the final size of the nanoparticles, indicating that their growth is limited by the pore structure of the phosphonate matrix, which prevents aggregation, even at 450 °C. These materials have been explored by PXRD, TGA, TEM, SAXS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.     

A unique crystallization and double melting behavior of a polyimide derived from 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine

A unique crystallization and melting behavior of a novel semicrystalline polyimide derived from 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with and without temperature modulation and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Polymer samples isolated from a chloroform solution showed melting transitions in the DSC. However, WAXD traces showed crystallinity only after annealing above the glass transition, for about 2 h. For samples crystallized from the melt, crystallization could be achieved only in a narrow crystallization range of 200-220 °C, after 10 h. A maximum crystallinity of this polyimide was found to be 30%. Two distinct melting transitions were observed by DSC, which could be explained using a partial disordering—reorganization—final melting model.     

Adsorption of camphor and 2,2′-bipyridine on Bi(1 1 1) electrode surface

Impedance spectroscopy and in situ STM methods have been used for investigation of the camphor and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-BP) adsorption at the electrochemically polished Bi(1 1 1) electrode from weakly acidified Na₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte solution. The influence of electrode potential on the adsorption kinetics of camphor and 2,2′-BP on Bi(1 1 1) has been demonstrated. In the region of maximal adsorption, i.e. capacitance pit in the differential capacitance versus electrode potential curve, the heterogeneous adsorption and diffusion steps are the rate determining stages for camphor and 2,2′-BP adsorption at the Bi(1 1 1) electrode. It was found that for camphor | Bi(1 1 1) interface the stable adsorbate adlayer detectable by using the in situ STM method has been observed only at the positively charged electrode surface, where the weak co-adsorption of SO₄²⁻ anions and camphor molecules is possible. At the weakly negatively charged Bi(1 1 1) electrode surface there are only physically adsorbed camphor molecules forming the compact adsorption layer. The in situ STM data in a good agreement with impedance data indicate that a very well detectable 2,2′-BP adsorption layer is formed at Bi(1 1 1) electrode in the wide region of charge densities around the zero charge potential.     

Effect of nitrobenzene on initiator-fragment incorporation radical polymerization of divinylbenzene with dimethyl 2,2′-azobisisobutyrate

The polymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) with dimethyl 2,2′-azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) was conducted at 70 and 80 °C in benzene in the presence of nitrobenzene (NB) as a retarder. When the concentrations of DVB, MAIB, and NB were 0.45, 0.50, and 0.50 mol/l, respectively, the polymerization proceeded without any gelation to yield soluble polymers. The polymer yield (up to 65%) and the molecular weight (M_n=1.5-4.2×l0⁴ at 70 °C and 1.3-3.9×l0⁴ at 80 °C) increased with time. The polymer formed in the polymerization at 80 °C for 4 h consisted of the DVB units with (4 mol%) and without double bond (41 mol%), methoxycarbonylpropyl group as MAIB-fragment (48 mol%), and NB unit (7 mol%). Incorporation of such a large number of the initiator-fragments as terminal groups in a polymer molecule indicates that the polymer is of a hyperbranched structure. The polymer showed an upper critical solution temperature (40 °C on cooling) in an acetone-water [14:1 (v/v)] mixture. The results of MALLS and viscometric measurements and TEM observation supported that the polymers formed in the present polymerization have a hyperbranched structure. The polymerization system at 70 °C involved an ESR-observable nitroxide radical formed by the addition of polymer radical to the nitro group of NB. The polymerization was kinetically investigated in dioxane. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) at 70 °C was expressed by R_p=k[MAIB]^0.5[DVB]^0.9[NB]^−0.4. The kinetic results were explained on the basis of the reversible addition of polymer radical to NB and the termination between the polymer radical and the nitroxide radical. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was 27.8 kcal/mol.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(4,4′-oxybis(benzene)disulfide)/graphite nanocomposites via in situ ring-opening polymerization of macrocyclic oligomers

An effective method for the preparation of poly(4,4′-oxybis(benzene)disulfide)/graphite nanosheet composites via in situ ring-opening polymerization of macrocyclic oligomers were reported. Completely exfoliated graphite nanosheets were prepared under the microwave irradiation followed by sonication in solution. The nanocomposites were fabricated via in situ melt ring-opening polymerization of macrocyclic oligomers in the presence of graphite nanosheets. The graphite nanosheets and resulted poly(arylene disulfide)/graphite nanocomposites were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), tensile tester and electrical conductivity measurements. Compared with pure polymer, the electrical conductivity of the poly(arylene disulfide)/graphite nanocomposites were dramatically increased and had a value of about 10⁻³ S/cm for the nanocomposite containing 5 wt% graphite. The nanocomposites exhibit as both high performance polymeric material and electrically conductive material. Therefore, they show potential applications as high temperature conducting materials.