Macromolecules, Vol.39, No.14, 4710-4718, 2006
Chemical modification of fluorinated polyimides: New thermally curing hybrid polymers with POSS
A series of four new end-capped and hydroxymethyl-functionalized polyimides were prepared. Through a two-step chemical modification process (3-aminopropyl)(hepta-i-butyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was covalently attached to the polymer backbone. POSS loading levels as high as 36 wt % could be obtained while maintaining excellent processability and optical clarity of thin films. Concurrent attachment of either a cyanate ester or hydroxyethyl methacrylate ( HEMA) group afforded processable POSS-polyimides that underwent thermal curing to yield solvent-resistant films, both having final T-g's of 251 degrees C. Kinetic analysis of the cure reactions yielded energy of activations of 93 kJ/mol (cyanate ester) and 103 kJ/mol (HEMA). Exposure of a POSS-polyimide containing degrees 31 wt % POSS to atomic oxygen displayed no measurable level of erosion relative to a Kapton H standard.