Distribution of zirconia nanoparticles in the matrix of poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylenepyromellitimide)

Poly(4,4??-oxydiphenylenepyromellitimide) is used as a polymer matrix for incorporation of zirconia nanoparticles with different compositions (ZrO₂ and Y_0.03Zr_0.97O_1.985), sizes (20 ± 5 and 10 ± 2 nm), and morphologies (spheres, hollow spheres, rods). The nanoparticles are incorporated during the synthesis of poly(amido acid), a prepolymer of polyimide, and ZrO₂ nanoparticles are pretreated with organosilicon compounds (tetraethoxysilane, ??-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate). The effect of surface modification of ZrO₂ nanoparticles on their distribution in poly(4,4??-oxydiphenylenepyromellitimide), depending on the type of the organosilicon compound as well as on the dispersity, shape, and chemical composition of particles, is studied.