Polyurethane/montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared from crystalline polyols, using 1,4-butanediol and organoclay hybrid as chain extenders

Polyurethane/montmorillonite (PU/MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization from highly crystalline poly(butylene succinate)/poly(ethylene glycol) polyols and 4,4^′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, using both 1,4-butanediol and 1, 2, or 3 wt.% of a tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-MMT hybrid, as chain extenders. The corresponding nanocomposites were designated PU-1MMT, PU-2MMT and PU-3MMT, respectively. The layered silicates were mostly intercalated in the nanocomposites. The distances between the individual silicate layers in the PU-1MMT and PU-2MMT were in the range of 2-10 nm, while those in the PU-3MMT were only about 2 nm. The inefficient exfoliation of the clay in this system was mainly due to the high crystallinity and polarity of the PBS polyol. There were no significant changes in the thermal properties of the pure PU and PU nanocomposites. However, the tensile modulus and elongation of the PU-2MMT at break were significantly greater than those of the pure PU and PU-3MMT.     

Alkaline-developable and negative-type photosensitive polyimide with high sensitivity and excellent mechanical properties using photo-base generator

An alkaline developable and negative-type PSPI with a high sensitivity and excellent mechanical properties based on a poly(amic acid) (PAA) and a photo-base generator has been developed. The PAA was prepared by the polycondensation of p-phenylenediamine (PDA) with an equimolar of 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6-FDA) and converted thermally to the corresponding polyimide, PI(PDA-BPDA/6-FDA). PI(PDA-BPDA/6-FDA) showed the high thermal and mechanical properties and the dimensional stability such as the thermal decomposition temperature of 530°C, glass transition temperature of 369°C, linear coefficient of thermal expansion of 28 ppm/K, ultimate tensile strength of 148 MPa, elongation at break of 25% and dielectric constant of 2.8. The PSPI was formulated directly from PAA(PDA-BPDA/6-FDA) with a photo-base generator (PBG), (E)-3-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(piperidin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (HMPP) (10 wt% to PAA) and the optimized parameters for photolithographic process were investigated including the PBG content, post-exposure bake (PEB) temperature, and PEB time. The PSPI based on PAA(PDA-BPDA/6-FDA) and HMPP (10 wt% to PAA) showed a sensitivity of 114 mJ/cm² and contrast of 1.29 when exposed to 365-nm light (i-line), post-exposure baked at 160°C for 5 min, and developed with an aqueous solution of 2.38 wt% tetramethylammonium hydroxide and iso-propanol. A clear negative 8-μm features pattern was obtained by contact-printing and converted into the PI pattern upon heating at 250°C, confirming by scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy.     

Preparation and properties of conductive silver/photosensitive polyimide nanocomposites

A new electrically conductive photoresist has been developed. It is based on the dispersion of silver nanoflakes in a negative‐tone photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) precursor. 2‐Mercaptopropionic acid was used as the surfactant to modify the silver nanoflake surface for the dispersion of silver nanoflakes in the polymer. The silver/PSPI nanocomposites showed electrical conductivity at a low silver content of 10 wt %. The electrical conductivity of the silver/PSPI nanocomposites ranged from 10 to 10⁴ S/cm, which was dependent on the silver weight fraction in the resist formulation. Patterns with a resolution of 30 μm were obtained from the silver/PSPI nanocomposites. The silver/PSPI nanocomposites had excellent thermal properties. Their glass transition temperatures were above 360 °C and thermal decomposition temperatures were over 420 °C. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1575–1583, 2009     

Thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester nanocomposites via in situ intercalation polycondensation

A thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester (TLCP)/organoclay nanocomposite was synthesized via in situ intercalation polycondensation of diethyl‐2,5‐dihexyloxyterephthalic acid and 4,4′‐biphenol in the presence of organically modified montmorillonite (MMT). The organoclay, C18‐MMT, was prepared by the ion exchange of Na⁺‐MMT with octadecylamine chloride (C18‐Cl^?). TLCP/C18‐MMT nanocomposites were prepared to examine the variations of the thermal properties, morphology, and liquid crystalline phases of the nanocomposites with clay content in the range of 0–7 wt%. It was found that the addition of only a small amount of organoclay was sufficient to improve the thermal behavior of the TLCP hybrids, with maximum enhancement being observed at 1 wt% C18‐MMT. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low‐CTE photosensitive polyimide based on semialicyclic poly(amic acid) and photobase generator

A negative‐type photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) based on semialicyclic poly(amic acid) (PAA), poly(trans‐1,4‐cyclohexylenediphenylene amic acid), and {[(4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐nitrobenzyl)oxy]carbonyl} 2,6‐dimethylpiperidine (DNCDP) as a photobase generator has been developed as a next‐generation buffer coat material. The semialicyclic PAA was synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and trans‐1,4‐cyclohexyldiamine in the presence of acetic acid, and the PAA polymerization solution was directly used for PSPI formulation. This PSPI, consisting of PAA (80 wt %) and DNCDP (20 wt %), showed high sensitivity of 70 mJ/cm² and high contrast of 10.3, when it was exposed to a 365‐nm line (i‐line), postexposure baked at 190 °C for 5 min, and developed with 2.38 wt % tetramethylammonium hydroxide aqueous solution containing 20 wt % isopropanol at 25 °C. A clear negative image of 6‐μm line and space pattern was printed on a film, which was exposed to 500 mJ/cm² of i‐line by a contact printing mode and fully converted to poly(trans‐1,4‐cyclohexylenebiphenylene imide) pattern upon heating at 250 °C for 1 h. The PSPI film had a low coefficient of thermal expansion of 16 ppm/K compared to typical PIs, such as prepared from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1317–1323, 2010     

Synthesis and characterization of new polyhydrazides based on 2,5-bis(mercapto-acetichydrazide)-1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety

New interesting class of novel polyhydrazides containing 1,3,4-thiadiazole moieties in the main chain was synthesized. A solution polycondensation technique was used in the synthesis of these polymers. The new monomer namely: 2,5-bis(mercapto-acetichydrazide)-1,3,4-thiadiazole III was synthesized from the nucleophilic replacement of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,5-thiadiazole I with ethylchloroacetate, followed by hydrazinolysis. The model compound VII was synthesized from the monomer 2,5-bis(mercapto-acetichydrazide)-1,3,4-thiadiazole III with benzoyl chloride and characterized by ¹H- NMR, IR, and elemental analyses. The polyhydrazides were synthesized from the polymerization of monomer III with 4,4^′-biphenic, 3,3^′-azodibenzoyl, 4,4^′-azodibenzoyl dichlorides. These polymers were characterized by elemental and spectral analyses, viscometry and solubility. The thermal properties of these polymers were determined by thermal gravimetric analyses, and differential thermal analysis, and correlated with their structure. The crystallinity of some polymers was tested by X-ray analyses.     

Electrical and thermomechanical properties of epoxy-POSS nanocomposites

Two types of the epoxy-POSS nanocomposites were prepared and their electrical/dielectric and thermomechanical properties were determined. The mono- and octa-epoxyfunctionalized POSS (POSS,E1 and POSS,E8) were covalently incorporated in the epoxy network matrix DGEBA-3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-diaminocyclohexylmethane (Laromin C260) as pendant units or as polyhedral junctions, respectively. While the POSS junctions are well dispersed in the hybrid network DGEBA-Laromin-POSS,E8, the pendant POSS aggregate to form large crystalline POSS domains.The properties of the nanocomposites correlate with the morphology. The nanocomposites with inhomogeneously dispersed large aggregates of pendant POSS,E1 show poor properties, including low T_g and thermal stability, and the high dielectric loss factor at higher temperatures. On the contrary, the well homogeneous nanocomposites containing POSS,E8 dispersed units display improved electrical properties in the range of 1–10 wt.% POSS. The hybrid exhibits the high resistivity (1 × 10¹⁵ Ω m) and polarization index p_i1 characterizing electrical relaxation, as well as the low dielectric loss factor tan δ, mainly at temperatures above 50 °C. Moreover, the material shows improved thermo oxidative stability and enhanced thermomechanical behavior. Consequently, this nanocomposite was proved to be a prospective insulation material particularly for a high temperature electrotechnical application. In contrast to electrical properties being the best at a low POSS content, the thermomechanical properties, such as rubbery modulus and T_g, are gradually improving with increasing POSS content due to growing crosslinking density.     

Synergistic flammability and thermal stability of polypropylene/aluminum trihydroxide/Fe‐montmorillonite nanocomposites

In the present study, polypropylene/aluminium trihydroxide/Fe‐montmorillonite (PP/ATH/Fe‐MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt‐intercalation method. This was been designed to determine whether the presence of structural iron in the matrix could enhance the thermal stability and flammability of nanocomposites. In order to prove the effect of Fe³⁺ in the structural silicate layers, samples of PP/ATH and PP/ATH/Na‐MMT (no Fe³⁺ in structural silicate layers) were prepared under the same conditions. Fe‐MMT and Na‐MMT were modified by cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The nanocomposite structures were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was applied to test the thermal properties of nanocomposites. In addition, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of PP/ATH/Fe‐MMT nanocomposites was increased, and no dripping phenomenon was found through the UL‐94 vertical burning test. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of structure on thermal behaviour of epoxy resins

The paper deals with the curing behaviour of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) using three novel multifunctional aromatic amines having phosphine oxide and amide-acid linkages. The amines were prepared by reacting tris(3-aminophenyl)phosphine oxide (TAP) with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid anhydride (P)/4,4^′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic acid anhydride (F)/3,3^′,4,4^′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (B). Amide-acid linkage in these amines is converted to thermally stable imide linkage during curing reaction. Curing temperatures of DGEBA were higher with phosphorylated amines than the conventional amine 4,4^′-diamino diphenyl sulphone (D). A decrease in initial decomposition temperature and higher char yields were observed when phosphorus containing amide-acid amines were used as curing agents for DGEBA.     

Preparation and properties of PU/MCMMT nanocomposites

The cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was used as a swelling agent to be intercalated into the galleries of the montmorillonite (MMT) platelets to get the organic MMT (CMMT). Then 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) were grafted on CMMT by the reaction between hydroxyls in organic MMT platelets and MDI to synthesize the MDI modified CMMT (MCMMT). Polyurethane (PU)/MCMMT composites were prepared by situ polymerization. The MCMMT platelets dispersed in a PU matrix in nanometer scale. The dispersion and intercalation degree of the MCMMT platelets decreased with increase in the content of MCMMT. Under the same content of fillers, the tensile strength and tear strength of PU/MCMMT nanocomposites were higher than those of PU/organic MMT nanocomposites. The reinforcing effect of the MCMMT platelets to the PU was better than that of the organic MMT platelets. With increase in the content of MCMMT, the tensile strength and tear strength of the PU/MCMMT nanocomposites were increased, while the extent of the increase slowed down. Compared with those of PU, the thermal stability of PU/MCMMT nanocomposites was increased. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical study of oxaferrocene cryptands and their complexation with barium and sodium ions

The electrochemical behaviour and cation recognition properties of two oxaferrocene cryptand ligands, 1,1′-[(1,4,10-trioxa-7,13-diazacyclopentadecane-7,13-diyl)diethoxy]-3,3′,4,4′-tetraphenylferrocene and 1,1′-[(1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane-7,16-diyl)diethoxy]-3,3′,4,4′-tetraphenylferrocene, have been characterized in acetonitrile in the presence of Ba²⁺ and Na⁺ by cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and a rotating disc electrode. The changes in the redox signals for the cryptates at varying concentrations of the target cations are used as a direct measure of the electronic coupling between the two units, leading to the conclusion that the cryptate formation process proceeds in multiple stages and the ligand offers several binding sites in the complex.     

Study of elastomeric polyurethane nanocomposites prepared from grafted organic–montmorillonite

4,4′-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) was grafted on to organic–montmorillonite (OMMT) by reaction between hydroxyl groups (−OH) on surface of the montmorillonite and the isocyanate groups (−NCO) of MDI, thus forming grafted organic–montmorillonite (MOMMT). Intercalated nanocomposites based on polyurethane (PU) and MOMMT were prepared by solution intercalation technology. The interface interaction of PU/MOMMT nanocomposites was better than that of PU/MMT composites. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength of the PU/MOMMT nanocomposites increased for MOMMT content up to 5% w/w, and then decreased with further increase in MOMMT content. At the same filler content, the tensile strength and tear strength of PU/MOMMT nanocomposites were higher than those of PU/OMMT nanocomposites, whereas the elongations at break of PU/MOMMT nanocomposites were smaller than those of PU/OMMT nanocomposites. The initial temperatures of weight loss of PU/MOMMT nanocomposites were lower than for PU/MMT composites in the first step of thermal degradation, whereas in the second step initial temperatures of weight loss were higher for PU/MOMMT nanocomposites.     

Synthesis and characterization of cardo polysulfonates of phenolphthalein

Cardo polysulfonates have been synthesized by condensing phenolphthalein (0.01 mol) with 4,4^′-diphenyl disulfonyl chloride/4,4^′-diphenyl ether disulfonyl chloride/4,4^′-diphenyl methane disulfonyl chloride/3,3^′-benzophenone disulfonyl chloride (0.01 mol) by using water-1,2-dichloroethane (2:1 v/v) as an acid acceptor and 0.2% CTAB as an interphase, alkali (0.02 mol) as an emulsifier. The reaction time and temperature were 3 h and 0 °C, respectively. IR and NMR spectral data support the structures. Polysulfonates possess excellent solubility in common organic solvents except PHDPM, moderate to comparable antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, good hydrolytic stability towards acids, alkalis and salt, moderate tensile strength (24-50 N/mm²), high T_g (212-228 °C), excellent thermal stability (316-388 °C), excellent volume resistivity (3-13×10¹⁵ Ohm cm), good to excellent electric strength (12-41 kV/mm) and good dielectric constant (1.4-1.8).     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides derived from a novel unsymmetrical diamine monomer: 1,4-(2′,4″-diaminodiphenoxy)benzene

A new aromatic unsymmetrical diamine monomer, 1,4-(2′,4″-diaminodiphenoxy)benzene (OAPB), was successfully synthesized in three steps using hydroquinone as starting material and polymerized with various aromatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides, including 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) via the conventional two-step thermal or chemical imidization method to produce a series of the unsymmetrical aromatic polyimides. The polyimides were characterized by solubility tests, viscosity measurements, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, and thermogravimetric analysis. The polyimides obtained had inherent viscosities ranged of 0.38-0.58 dL/g, and were easily dissolved in common organic solvents. The resulting strong and flexible PI films exhibited excellent thermal stability with the decomposition temperature (at 5% weight loss) of above 505 °C and the glass transition temperature in the range of 230-299 °C. Moreover, the polymer films showed outstanding mechanical properties with the tensile strengths of 41.4-108.5 MPa, elongation at breaks of 5-9% and initial moduli of 1.15-1.68 GPa.     

Synthesis and properties of oligomers containing substituted bithiazole rings

A series of novel polyimide and poly(Schiff base) oligomers containing substituted bithiazole rings were designed and synthesized, for the first time, by polycondensation of 5,5^′-dimethyl-2,2^′- diamino-4,4^′-bithiazole (MDABT) with dianhydrides (pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3^′-4,4^′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride and bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) ether dianhydride), and dialdehydes (oxalic aldehyde, isophthalaldehyde and terephthalaldehyde). The structure of the oligomers was determined by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The oligomers showed good thermal stability. The Fe²⁺ complex of poly(Schiff base), synthesized from MDABT with oxalic aldehyde (PMTOA), was prepared with 13.7% Fe content and found to be a ferromagnet at low temperature.     

Effect of P/Si polymeric silsesquioxane and the monomer compound on thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposite

The unique polymeric silsesquioxane/4,4′-diglycidyether bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy nanocomposites have been prepared by sol-gel method. The structure of nanocomposites was characterized by attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and solid state ²⁹Si NMR. The characteristic intensity of trisubstituted (T) structure was higher than that of tetrasubstituted (Q) structure from solid state ²⁹Si NMR spectra of 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (IPTS) modified epoxy. The activation energies of curing reaction of epoxy system and IPTS modified epoxy system are 28-66 kJ/mol and 57-75 kJ/mol, respectively, by Ozawa’s and Kissinger’s methods. The triethyoxysilane side chain of IPTS modified epoxy might interfere the curing reaction of epoxy/amine and increase the activation energy of curing. The thermal degradation of nanocomposites was investigated by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The char yield of nanocomposites was proportional to the 2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyltriethoxysilane (DPPETES) moiety content at high temperature. A higher char content could inhibit thermal decomposition dramatically and enhance the thermal stability. Moreover, the nanocomposites possess high optical transparency.     

Dispersibility of clay and crystallization kinetics for in situ polymerized PET/pristine and modified montmorillonite nanocomposites

Nanocomposite materials composed of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and montmorillonite (MMT) clays were prepared by in situ polymerization. Samples consisted of PET blended with various quantities of either pristine (Na⁺‐MMT) or organically modified MMT (A10‐MMT). The morphology and thermal and mechanical properties were evaluated for each sample. TEM micrographs, acquired at a 20 nm resolution, provide direct evidence of exfoliation of the clay particles into the PET matrix and show the effect of the alkyl‐modifier on clay dispersibility. The dispersion of PET/A10‐MMT was greater than that observed for the PET/Na⁺‐MMT nanocomposites. The greatest degree of exfoliation occurred for PET/A10‐MMT 0.5 wt %. However, PET/Na⁺‐MMT exhibited higher crystallization temperatures and rates suggesting that Na⁺‐MMT is a more efficient nucleating agent. Both mechanically and thermally, PET/A10‐MMT nanocomposites exhibited superior properties over pure PET. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1022–1035, 2008     

A new class of aromatic polybenzoxazoles containing ortho-phenylenedioxy groups

A series of poly(o-hydroxy amide)s having both ether and ortho-catenated phenylene unit in the main chain were synthesized via the low-temperature solution polycondensation of 4,4^′-(1,2-phenylenedioxy)dibenzoyl chloride and 4,4^′-(4-tert-butyl-1,2-phenylenedioxy)dibenzoyl chloride with three bis(o-aminophenol)s including 4,4^′-diamino-3,3^′-dihydroxybiphenyl, 3,3^′-diamino-4,4^′-dihydroxybiphenyl, and 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane. The poly(o-hydroxy amide)s exhibited inherent viscosities in the range of 0.23-0.96 dl/g. Most of the poly(o-hydroxy amide)s were soluble in polar organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and could afford flexible and tough films by solution casting. Subsequent thermal cyclodehydration of the poly(o-hydroxy amide)s afforded polybenzoxazoles. However, the polybenzoxazoles were organic-insoluble except for those with the hexafluoroisopropylidene group. The polybenzoxazoles exhibited glass-transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 200-232 °C by DSC and softening temperatures (T_s) of 250-256 °C by thermomechanical analysis. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated that most polybenzoxazoles were stable up to 500 °C in air or nitrogen. The 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the ranges of 546-606 °C in air and 574-631 °C in nitrogen.     

Preparation, properties, and X-ray structures of 5,5-bi(8-aminoquinoxalyl)s: novel Wurster-type electron donors with a heterobiaryl skeleton

The title electron donors were prepared by the double condensation reactions of 2,2^′,3,3^′-tetraamino-4,4^′-bis(1-pyrrolidinyl)biphenyl with 1,2-diketones. They adopt twisted conformations in crystal, yet the reversible two-stage one-electron oxidation process suggests the planar geometries for the oxidized species. Depending on the nature of substituents on the pyrazine ring, this π-system can be endowed additional features such as chiroptical properties or metal coordination ability.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s derived from 2,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzonitrile

A series of polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s were prepared by the direct poly-condensation of 2,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzonitrile [4-APBN] with aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bis(carboxyphthalimide)s in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone [NMP] with triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. The synthesis of 4-APBN involves a nucleophilic displacement reaction in dipolar aprotic solvent with the alkali metal salt of p-aminophenol and an activated aromatic dichloro compound. Bis(carboxyphthalimide)s were prepared by condensation of 4,4^′-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 3,3^′-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 4,4^′-diaminodiphenylether, 4,4^′-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3^′-diaminobenzophenone, and trimellitic anhydride at a 1:2 molar ratio. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polymers were found to be in the range of 0.31-0.93 dl/g and glass transition temperatures between 235 and 298 °C. All polymers were soluble in aprotic polar solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide and NMP. The results of thermogravimetry revealed that all the polymers showed no significant weight loss before 400 °C. Wide-angle X-ray diffractograms revealed that all polymers were found to be amorphous except for the polyamide derived from isophthalic acid and polyamide-imides derived from diaminodiphenylether and diaminobenzophenone based bis(carboxyphthalimide)s.