Hydroxy - Functionalized Polyimides as Materials for Advanced Applications

A series of aromatic polyimides containing pendant hydroxylic groups has been prepared by solution polycondensation reaction of a fluorinated bis(o-aminophenol), namely 2,2-bis(3-amino-4- hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane, with aromatic dianhydrides. All polymers were soluble in polar organic solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and methyl-ethyl-ketone, as well as in less polar organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran. They were amorphous, as evidenced by DSC analysis, and afforded transparent and flexible films by solution casting onto glass substrates. The polymers showed weight- and number-average molecular weights in the range of 28700-65000 g/mol and 11300-35300 g/mol, respectively. They showed high thermal stability´ with decomposition temperature above 400degC and a glass transition temperature in the range of 250-305degC. Due to these properties the present polymers can be used as materials for advanced applications.