Organosoluble polyimides derived from asymmetric 2‐substituted‐and 2,2′,6‐trisubstituted‐4,4′‐oxydianilines

We report a new method for the preparation of asymmetric diamines using 4,4′‐oxydianiline (4,4′‐ODA) as the starting material. By controlling the equivalents of bromination agent, N‐bromosuccinimide, we were able to attach bromide and phenyl substituents at the 2‐ or 2,2′,6‐positions of 4,4′‐ODA. Thus, four new asymmetric aromatic diamines, 2‐bromo‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (6), 2,2′,6‐tribromo‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (7), 2‐phenyl‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (8) and 2,2′,6‐triphenyl‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (9), were synthesized by this method. Their structural asymmetry was confirmed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Asymmetric polyimides (PI10–PI13) were prepared from these diamines and three different dianhydrides (pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 2,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride) in refluxing m‐cresol. The formed polyimides, except PI10a derived from 6 and PMDA, were all soluble in m‐cresol without premature precipitation during polymerization. These polyimides with inherent viscosity of 0.41–0.96 dL g^?1, measured at a concentration of 0.5 g dL^?1 in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone at 30 °C, can form tough and flexible films. Because of the structural asymmetry, they also exhibited enhanced solubility in organic solvents. Especially, polyimides PI11a and PI13a derived from 7 and 9 with rigid PMDA were soluble in various organic solvents at room temperature. The structural asymmetry of the prepared polyimides was also evidenced from ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In the ¹H NMR spectrum of PI11a, the protons of pyromellitic moiety appeared in an area ratio of 1:2:1 at three different chemical shifts, which were assigned to head‐to‐head, head‐to‐tail and tail‐to‐tail configurations, respectively. These polyimides also exhibited good thermal stability. Their glass transition temperatures ranged from 297 to 344 °C measured using thermal mechanical analysis. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and properties of organo‐soluble polyimides based on 4,4′‐diamino‐3,3‐dimethyldiphenylmethane and conventional dianhydrides

4,4′‐Diamino‐3,3′‐dimethyldiphenylmethane was used to prepare polyimides in an attempt to achieve good organo‐solubility and light color. Polyimides based on this diamine and three conventional aromatic dianhydrides were prepared by solution polycondensation followed by chemical imidization. They possess good solubility in aprotonic polar organic solvents such as N‐methyl 2‐pyrrolidone, N,N‐dimethyl acetamide, and m‐cresol. Polyimide from 4,4′‐diamino‐3,3′‐dimethyldiphenylmethane and diphenylether‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride is even soluble in common solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. Polyimides exhibit high transmittance at wavelengths above 400 nm. The glass transition temperature of polyimide from 4,4′‐diamino‐3,3′‐dimethyldiphenylmethane and pyromellitic dianhydride is 370°C, while that from 4,4′‐diamino‐3,3′‐dimethyldiphenylmethane and diphenylether‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride is about 260°C. The initial thermal decomposition temperatures of these polyimides are 520–540°C. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1299–1304, 1999     

Properties of copolyimides prepared from different tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and diamines

Various copolymides were prepared from two acid dianhydrides (BPDA, 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride; PMDA, pyromelitic dianhydride) and two diamines (PPD, p-phenylene diamine; ODA, 4,4′-oxydianiline). The thermal and mechanical properties of these polyimides were examined in detail. By appropriately selecting the ratios of the acid dianhydride component and the diamine component, polyimide films having desirable mechanical and thermal characteristics can be obtained. Further, it was proved that there is a correlation between the properties and the compositions of the copolyimides and that the properties could be estimated from the compositions by the use of multiple regression analysis. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Phosphorus‐containing epoxy resins: Thermal characterization

Three novel aromatic phosphorylated diamines, i.e., bis N,N′‐{3‐[(3‐aminophenyl)methyl phosphinoyl] phenyl} pyromellitamic acid (AP), 4,4′‐oxo bis N,N′‐{3‐[(3‐aminophenyl)methyl phosphinoyl] phenyl}phthalamic acid (AB) and 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidene‐bis N,N′‐{3‐[(3‐aminophenyl)methyl phosphinoyl] phenyl}phthalamic acid (AF) were synthesized and characterized. These amines were prepared by solution condensation reaction of bis(3‐aminophenyl)methyl phosphine oxide (BAP) with 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid anhydride (P)/3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (B)/4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic acid anhydride (F), respectively. The structural characterization of amines was done by elemental analysis, DSC, TGA, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR and FTIR. Amine equivalent weight was determined by the acetylation method. Curing of DGEBA in the presence of phosphorylated amines was studied by DSC and curing exotherm was in the temperature range of 195–267°C, whereas with conventional amine 4,4′‐diamino diphenyl sulphone (D) a broad exotherm in temperature range of 180–310°C was observed. Curing of DGEBA with a mixture of phosphorylated amines and D, resulted in a decrease in characteristic curing temperatures. The effect of phosphorus content on the char residue and thermal stability of epoxy resin cured isothermally in the presence of these amines was evaluated in nitrogen atmosphere. Char residue increased significantly with an increase in the phosphorus content of epoxy network. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2235–2242, 2002     

Synthesis of new sulfonated copolyimides in organic and ionic liquid media for fuel cell application

New sulfonated copolyimides containing ether, carbonyl, and bulky naphthyl group in backbone were synthesized in two reaction media: organic solvent and ionic liquid media. For this purpose a new sulfonated diamine (BANBPDS) and an unsulfonated diamine (BANBP) was prepared through reactions of 4,4′‐dichlorobenzophenone‐3,3′‐disulfonic acid, and also 4,4′‐dichlorobenzophenone with 5‐amino‐1‐sodium naphthoxide, respectively. Three series of sulfonated copolyimide with different sulfonation contents (40–80%) were prepared by reaction of the sulfonated diamine (BANBPDS) in companion with three unsulfonated diamines including BANBP, 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA), and 1,8‐diamino‐3,6‐dioxaoctane (DADO) with 1,4,5,8‐naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA). Two media were selected for preparation of copolyimides. Copolyimides synthesized in ionic liquid had higher inherent viscosity and higher molecular weight in comparison with similar copolyimides that were synthesized via common organic solvent method. Incorporation of flexible groups in polyimide structures increased solubility and processability of the copolyimides. After characterization of polymers with common methods, their water uptake, water stability, ion exchange capacity (IEC), thermal behavior and stability, crystallinity, and morphology were studied. The polymers showed suitable properties including high thermal stability and ion exchange capacity, which were the basic requirements for application as fuel cell membranes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Modification of cyanate ester resin by soluble polyimides

Soluble polyimides (PIs) were prepared as random or multiblock types with 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) and 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (s‐BPDA) as acid dianhydride components and 4,4′‐bis(m‐aminophenoxy) diphenyl sulfone (m‐BAPS) as a diamine component by a one‐pot process and used to improve the brittleness of the cyanate ester resin. Random‐type PIs were more effective as modifiers than multiblock‐type PIs. The morphologies of the modified resins depended on PI structure, molecular weight, and concentration. The most effective modification of the cyanate ester resin was attained because of a heterogeneous phase structure composed of a flat matrix phase and phase‐inverted structures of the modified resin; a 15 wt % inclusion of a random PI (weight‐average molecular weight = 63,400) composed of 6FDA, s‐BPDA, and m‐BAPS (0.5/0.5/1.0 molar ratio) led to a 65% increase in the fracture toughness for the modified resin with a slight loss of flexural strength and a retention of flexural modulus and glass‐transition temperature, compared with the values for the unmodified resin. Water absorptivity of the modified resin was comparable to that of the unmodified resin up to 400 h, and then, water absorption of the modified resins increased considerably. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1–11, 2003     

Preparation of novel copoly(bis[4‐(3‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone/ 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxyl/ pyromellite)imide derivatives

Copolyimide derivatives were prepared from two carboxylic dianhydrides [3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and pyromellitic anhydride (PMDA)] and a single diamine (bis[4‐(3‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone [BAPS]) following one‐step polymerization. Copolymers could be arranged in sequence through different molar ratios of dianhydride compounds. These polymers were characterized by viscosity, thermal and mechanical properties, solubility, etc. To understand the behavior of the properties, according to the ratio of the dianhydride compound, a copolymer having various properties could be obtained. Further, it was proved that their properties could be determined from the compositions. The solubility of copolyimides with a large molecular weight was moderately improved. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 853–859, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of aromatic/cycloaliphatic poly(amide‐ imide‐imide)s from bis(4‐amino‐ 3,5‐dimethylphenyl) cycloalkane derivatives

A series of novel aromatic diamines containing cycloaliphatic moieties was synthesized by the reaction of cycloalkanones like cyclohexanone and cycloheptanone with 2,6‐dimethylaniline. The tetrimide diacid was synthesized using the prepared diamine with 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride/pyromellitic dianhydride and p‐aminobenzoic acid. The polymers were prepared by treating the tetrimide diacid with different aromatic diamines. The structures of the monomers and polymers were identified using elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The polymers show excellent solubility. The polymers are amorphous and have high optical transparency. They also show good thermal stability and their T_g value is found to be in the range 268–305 °C. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and thermal,mechanical and gas permeation properties of aromatic polyimides containing different linkage groups

Two series of aromatic polyimides containing various linkage groups based on 2,7‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)naphthalene or 3,3′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane and different aromatic dianhydrides, namely 4,4′‐(4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride), 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)bis(phthalic anhydride), 3,3′,4,4′ benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 9,9‐bis[4‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]fluorene dianhydride and 4,4′‐(4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride), were synthesized and compared with regard to their thermal, mechanical and gas permeation properties. All these polymers showed high thermal stability with initial decomposition temperature in the range 475–525 °C and glass transition temperature between 208 and 286 °C. Also, the polymer films presented good mechanical characteristics with tensile strength in the range 60–91 MPa and storage modulus in the range 1700–2375 MPa. The macromolecular chain packing induced by dianhydride and diamine segments was investigated by examining gas permeation through the polymer films. The relationships between chain mobility and interchain distance and the obtained values for gas permeability are discussed. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of highly soluble and transparent polyimides

A novel aromatic diamine, 3,3′‐diisopropyl‐4,4′‐diaminophenyl‐4″‐methyltoluene with a 4‐methylphenyl pendant group and isopropyl side groups, was designed and synthesized in this study. Then it was polymerized with various aromatic dianhydrides including pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride via a one‐pot high temperature polycondensation procedure to produce a series of aromatic polyimides. These polyimides exhibited excellent solubility even in common organic solvents, such as chloroform and tetrahydrofuran. The flexible and tough films can be conveniently obtained by solution casting. The films were nearly colorless and exhibited high optical transparency, with the UV cutoff wavelength in the range 302–365 nm and the wavelength of 80% transparency in the range 385–461 nm. Moreover, they showed low dielectric constants (2.73–3.23 at 1 MHz) and low moisture absorption (0.13%–0.46%). Furthermore, they also possessed good thermal and thermo‐oxidative stability with 10% weight loss temperatures (T_10%) in the range 489–507 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The glass transition temperatures of all polyimides are in the range 262–308 °C. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation of a polyimide nanofiltration membrane for lubricant solvent recovery

Polyimide (PI) membrane has been proven to be an efficient approach for solvent recovery. However, the inherent fragility of the PI membrane limits the range of separation conditions and process economics. In this study, copolyimides were synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone–tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4′‐biamino‐3,3′‐dimethyldiphenyl–methane (DMMDA) by chemical imidization in a two‐step procedure. Then, a PI nanofiltration (NF) membrane was prepared through a phase‐inversion process for solvent recovery from lube oil filtrates. The results indicated that the immersion of the PI (BTDA–DMMDA) NF membrane in a 1,6‐diaminohexane/ethanol crosslinking agent solution carried on the chemical crosslinking modification, which could effectively improve the solvent resistance of the NF membrane. Moreover, the addition of inorganic salt in the polymer solution further enhanced the solvent resistance and pressure resistance of the membrane, which was favorable for the solvent recovery. The lubricant rejection was above 93%, and the solvent flux was about 30 L m^?2 h^?1 with the NF membrane prepared in optimum conditions, and this membrane showed great potential for future development in the application of solvent recovery from lube oil filtrates. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40338.     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides and its ultrafiltration membrane performances

Soluble polyimides were synthesized and characterized from two diamines and four dianhydrides by the two- and the one-step method. Most of the polyimides could be soluble by one-step method except α,α′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1,4-diisopropyl benzene/3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride system in limited organic solvents. Glass transition temperatures ranged from 186 to 233°C and crystalline melt temperatures were not observed. All the soluble polyimides showed good thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. The polyimides did not have crystalline structure and limited solubilities. The effective solvent had a medium dispersion component associated with weak polar and hydrogen components. The polymer from one-step polymerization had a narrower molecular weight distribution than the two-step method. Polyimide synthesized with 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride and bis[4-(3-aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone by two-step method could only be prepared by the typical phase inversion method. Other membranes except this polyimide membrane could not be prepared by the typical phase-inversion method because of poor solubility about polar solvents. The flux of this ultrafiltration membrane was very high, and this membrane could especially retain polymer having a molecular weight 20,000 to above 90%. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 907–918, 1999     

High-strength–high-modulus polyimide fibers I. One-step synthesis of spinnable polyimides

Polyimides with aromatic links are synthesized usually in two steps, but a series of aromatic polyimides with large molecular weights sufficient to produce strong fibers were prepared in one step by the reaction of 3,3′, 4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) with various aromatic diamines. The one-step polycondensation was possible even when BPDA was replaced to some extent by pyromellitic dianhydride, which is a basic component in the conventional two-step method. The copolyimides based on BPDA and mixtures of aromatic diamines were also synthesized in similar manner. For the one-step polycondensation, phenol and some of its derivatives were found to be suitable solvents, while the typical solvent employed in the two-step method, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, could not be used because of the precipitation of low-molecular weight polyimides. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid proved to be a very efficient accelerator for the conversion of polyamic acids to polyimides.     

Synthesis and characterization of organosoluble and transparent polyimides derived from trans‐1,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)cyclohexane dianhydride

A novel dianhydride, trans‐1,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)cyclohexane dianhydride (1,2‐CHDPA), was prepared through aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction of 4‐nitrophthalonitrile with trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diol followed by hydrolysis and dehydration. A series of polyimides (PIs) were synthesized from one‐step polycondensation of 1,2‐CHDPA with several aromatic diamines, such as 2,2′‐bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine (TFDB), bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)ether (TFODA), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA), 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene (TPEQ), 4,4′‐(1,3‐phenylenedioxy)dianiline (TPER), 2,2′‐bis[4‐(3‐aminodiphenoxy)phenyl]sulfone (m‐BAPS), and 2,2′‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]sulfone (6F‐BAPS). The glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of the polymers were higher than 198°C, and the 5% weight loss temperatures (T_d5%s) were in the range of 424–445°C in nitrogen and 415–430°C in air, respectively. All the PIs were endowed with high solubility in common organic solvents and could be cast into tough and flexible films, which exhibited good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 76–105 MPa, elongations at break of 4.7–7.6%, and tensile moduli of 1.9–2.6 GPa. In particular, the PI films showed excellent optical transparency in the visible region with the cut‐off wavelengths of 369–375 nm owing to the introduction of trans‐1,2‐cyclohexane moiety into the main chain. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42317.     

Synthesis and properties of ultralow dielectric constant porous polyimide films containing trifluoromethyl groups

In this research, a series of porous copolyimide (co‐PI) films containing trifluoromethyl group (CF₃) were facilely prepared via a phase separation process. The co‐PI were synthesized by the reaction of benzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) with two diamines of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA) and 3‐trifluoromethyl‐4,4'‐diaminodiphenyl ether (FODA) with various molar ratios. The flexible and tough porous co‐PI films with about 300 μm thickness and 8～10 μm average diameter could be obtained by solution casting conveniently. The thermal properties of the obtained porous co‐PI films were excellent with a glass transition temperature at 270 °C ～ 280 °C and only 5% weight loss in temperature from 530 °C to 560 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. In addition, the dielectric and hydrophobic properties of porous co‐PI films were remarkably improved owing to the presence of trifluoromethyl groups (CF₃) in the polymer chains. Moreover, our synthesized porous co‐PI films also showed good mechanical properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44494.     

Structure and properties for conterminously linked polymer of copoly(amic acid) with triallyl isocyanurate and bismaleimide

The copoly(amic acid)s were prepared from two various diamines 2,2′‐bis (4‐aminophenoxy phenyl) hexafluoropropane or 2,2′‐bis (4‐aminophenoxy phenyl) propane and amine‐terminated oligosiloxane, respectively, with aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride (3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride). The resulted copoly(amic acid) with various mole ratio of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC)/4,4′‐bismaleimidophenylmethane (BMI) were subsequently thermally imidized to the corresponding copolyimides. These polymers were characterized using viscometer, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyses, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), dielectric analyzer, and scanning electron microscope. The dielectric constant (D_K) and dissipation factor (D_f) of copolyimides with TAIC/BMI were much lower than that of copolyimides without TAIC/BMI. Furthermore, the formation of copolyimides also would enhance their thermal stability and solubility. DMA of copolymers showed only a glass transition temperature (T_g), indicating a random structure and an amorphous state. The morphology of copolyimides revealed no phase separation. This indicates that the homogeneous state has been achieved in this coreaction system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble poly(ether imide)s containing fluorenyl cardo groups

Two series of poly(ether imide)s (PEIs) containing fluorenyl cardo groups in the main chains were synthesized, which are derived from the polycondensation of 9,9′‐bis(4‐aminophenoxyphenyl)fluorene (BAOFL) or 9,9′‐bis(3‐trifluoromethyl,4‐aminophenoxyphenyl)fluorene (6F‐BAOFL) with four kinds of dianhydrides (3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′‐oxydiphthalicanhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and bisphenol‐A dianhydride), respectively. The PEI films and PEI powder were prepared by thermal and chemical imidization, respectively. The PEIs were characterized by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV–vis were performed on inherent viscosity, solubility, and tensile tests. The effects of fluorenyl cardo groups and ether linkages on the solubility, tensile properties, thermal stability, and optical properties were investigated in detail. It was found that the PEIs had good solubility in common organic solvents and good optical transparency in visible light region. In addition, the PEI films exhibited excellent tensile and thermal properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Resistive switching characteristics of polyimides derived from 2,2′‐aryl substituents tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

2,2′‐Position aryl‐substituted tetracarboxylic dianhydrides including 2,2′‐bis(biphenyl)‐4,4′,5,5′‐biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 2,2′‐bis[4‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)phenyl)]‐4,4′,5,5′‐biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride were synthesized. A new series of aromatic polyimides (PIs) were synthesized via a two‐step procedure from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride and the newly synthesized tetracarboxylic dianhydrides monomers reacting with 2,2′‐bis[4′‐(3″,4″,5″‐trifluorophenyl)phenyl]‐4,4′‐biphenyl diamine. The resulting polymers exhibited excellent organosolubility and thermal properties associated with T_g at 264 °C and high initial thermal decomposition temperatures (T_5%) exceeding 500 °C in argon. Moreover, the fabricated sandwich structured memory devices of Al/PI‐a/ITO was determined to present a flash‐type memory behaviour, while Al/PI‐b/ITO and Al/PI‐c/ITO exhibited write‐once read‐many‐times memory capability with different threshold voltages. In addition, Al/polymer/ITO devices showed high stability under a constant stress or continuous read pulse voltage of ? 1.0 V. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of bisimide amines and bisimide amine-cured epoxy resins

A series of novel bisimide amines were synthesized and characterized and then utilized as curing agents with a standard epoxy resin, N,N′- tetraglycidyl-methylenedianiline (TGMDA), known commercially as MY720. The bisimide amines (BIA's) were synthesized by reaction of 4,4′-hexa-ffuoroisopropylidine (biphthalic acid dianhydride) (6F anhydride) with aromatic and aliphatic diamines in dimethyl formamide at reflux temperatures in yields ranging 24 to 99 percent. The diamines used were 3,3′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (3,3′-DDS), 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (4,4′-DDS), 1,12-dodecanediamine (1,12-DDA), alone and as mixtures to produce the BIA's 6F-3,3′- DDS, 6F-4,4′-DDS, 6F-3,3′-DDS-4,4′-DDS, 6F-3,3′-DDS-1, 12-DDA with various compositions, depending on the mode of addition and stoichiometry. The BIA's are isolated as mixtures containing monomer, oligomer, and polymeric species. They were characterized by elemental analysis, and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Epoxy resin specimens were fabricated by reaction of the standard epoxy (MY720) with the BIA and in some cases, mixtures of BIA and aromatic diamine, such as 3,3′-DDS. The bisimide amine cured epoxies (IME's) were characterized for moisture absorption, thermal properties, physical and mechanical properties. The bisimide amine epoxy (IME) resins were also characterized as matrices in Celion 6000/bisimide amine cured epoxy (IME) composites. The relative toughness characteristics of each IME formulation was measured by the 10° offaxis tensile test by measuring the uniaxial tensile, shear strengths and shear-strain-to-failure of the composite systems.     

Chemical modification of 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride polyimides by a catechol‐derived bis(ether amine)

Having previously demonstrated that the polyimide derived from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 1,2‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene [termed triphenyl ether catechol diamine (TPEC)] exhibited superior tensile properties in addition to good thermal properties, we now provide a preliminary assessment of the properties of the copolyimides prepared from BPDA, TPEC, and another aromatic diamine. The homopolyimides derived from BPDA and many aromatic diamines generally possessed good mechanical properties and thermal properties; however, they were insoluble in available organic solvents. In several cases, organosoluble BPDA copolyimides could be prepared from BPDA and equimolar mixtures of TPEC and another aromatic diamine. All the copolyimides could be formed into tough films with high moduli and strengths and, in most cases, high extensions to break. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 351–358, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10342