| Abstract: | A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials that consist of organosoluble polyimide and layered montmorillonite clay were prepared by the solution dispersion technique. The organosoluble polyimide containing non‐coplanar moiety in diamine monomer and flexible bridging linkages in dianhydride monomer was synthesized by chemical imidization. The as‐synthesized PCN materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The organosoluble polyimide showed better corrosion resistance compared to polyaniline, poly(o‐ethoxyaniline) and poly(methyl methacrylate) by using a series of standard electrochemical corrosion measurements of corrosion potential, polarization resistance, and corrosion current in 5 wt % aqueous NaCl electrolyte. Polyimide–clay nanocomposite materials incorporated with low loading of clay were found to further improve corrosion inhibition over pure polyimide. Effects of the material composition on the O2/H2O molecular permeability, optical clarity, and thermal properties of polyimide–clay nanocomposite materials were studied by molecular permeability analysis, UV–visible transmission spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3573–3582, 2004 |
