Positron annihilation properties of copolyimides and copolyamides with microphase‐separated structures

The positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) of a series of copolyimides and copolyamides with microphase‐separated structures was measured to investigate the effects of different hard‐segment polymers on the PAL properties of soft‐segment domains of poly(dimethyl‐siloxane) (PDMS) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The lifetime (τ₃) and intensity (I₃) of the long‐lived component are given as a function of the PDMS or PEO content for a series of copolymers, of which the density roughly obeys the additive rule except for the PDMS‐segmented copolyamides. The PDMS‐segmented copolyimides and copolyamides show much smaller I₃ values than those estimated from the additive rule. The lifetime distribution of the long‐lived component for the PDMS‐segmented copolyamides is composed of two components. The longer‐lifetime component is attributed to pure PDMS domains, and the shorter‐lifetime component is attributed to the polyamide domains, intermediate phases, and PDMS domains containing small amounts of short amide blocks. Despite the high PDMS content, the latter component is rather large. Thus, the positronium formation in the PDMS domains of the copolyimides and copolyamides is effectively reduced. This can be explained by the combination of the difference in the electron affinity of the PDMS and polyimide or polyamide segments and the incomplete phase separation. The PEO‐segmented copolyimides show much smaller I₃ values than those predicted from the additive rule. This is likely attributable to the effects of the intermediate phases. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1123–1132, 2000     

Phosphinated phenols from acid‐fragmentation of bisphenols and their unsymmetrical diamine derivatives for copolyimides

Four novel diamines (9–12) were prepared by a two‐step procedure from phosphinated phenols (1–4) that were prepared from acid‐fragmentation of four bisphenols, including bisphenol A, 4,4′‐isopropylidenebis(2,6‐dimethylphenol), cis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, and 9,9′‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, followed by nucleophilic addition of 9,10‐dihydro‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO). Copolyimides based on (9–12) /4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA)/dianhydride were prepared. The structure‐property relationship on the copolyimides was discussed. Due to the structural similarity, (9) /ODA‐based copolyimides were compared with (10) /ODA‐based copolyimides, while (11) /ODA‐based copolyimides were compared with (12) /ODA‐based copolyimides. The dimethyl substitutents cause (10) /ODA‐based copolyimides to display higher T_g, modulus, dimensional stability, contact angle, and better solubility than (9) /ODA‐based copolyimides. (12) /ODA‐based copolyimides that exhibit fluorene moieties display higher T_g and thermal stability, but a lower contact angle and poorer solubility than (11) /ODA‐based copolyimides that exhibit cyclohexane moieties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 390–400     

Copoly(peryleneimide)s containing 1,3,4‐oxadiazole rings: Synthesis and properties

New copolyimides containing perylenediimide, oxadiazole and hexafluoroisopropylidene moieties were prepared by one‐step polycondensation reaction in solution at high temperature of aromatic diamines containing preformed oxadiazole ring with a mixture of a dianhydride having a perylene ring and another dianhydride with hexafluoroisopropylidene unit. The thermal stability and glass transition temperatures of these copolyimides were measured and compared with those of related polyimides. The solid polymers were also studied by polarized light microscopy and X‐ray diffraction which revealed a semicrystalline state consisting of face‐to‐face arranged columns of perylenediimide units. The film‐forming ability and properties of the resulting thin films were investigated by using atom force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy which showed that the films were organized into self‐assembled rod‐like structures. The UV‐Vis and photoluminescence properties in solution and in solid state were also investigated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4230–4242, 2010     

Grafted and segmented hydrophilic polyimides for microfiltration membranes: Part I. Synthesis and characterisation

This paper describes the synthesis of two series of hydrophilic copolyimides. Polyimides were prepared with a variety of aromatic units. The copolyimides described are graft and segmented copolymers; the hydrophilic grafts and hydrophilic main-chain segments are both derived from amine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEO). Graft copolymers were prepared by reacting mono-amine terminated PEO with pre-formed polyimide having pendant carboxyl groups activated by 1,1-carbonyl diimidazole (CDI). High molecular weight graft copolyimides with significant degrees of grafting were produced using commercial mono-functional Jeffamine^®, long-chain PEO; restricted solubility in appropriate solvents limited detailed characterisation. Segmented copolyimides were prepared using Jeffamine diamines in combination with aromatic diamines to form suitable copolymers for use in membrane applications. Equilibrium water uptakes were determined for both grafted and segmented copolyimides. The copolymers were prepared for investigations of fouling in microfiltration membranes the results of which are described in an accompanying paper.     

Synthesis of polyimides and segmented block copolyimides by transimidization

The transimidization reaction has been successfully utilized to prepare a series of segmented block copolyimides. The synthesis and polymerization of an AX‐type amino imide monomer containing the tetrahydro[5]helicene unit were accomplished. The AX‐type amino imide monomer is stable during isolation and purification, owing to its inert X (e.g., N‐pyridyl) group, but yet readily underwent a self‐transimidization reaction and produced polyimide. Because of the presence of two reactive ends, such an AX‐type polyimide could be incorporated into a series of block copolyimides by reaction with commercially available dianhydrides and diamines. All the copolymers showed two distinct glass‐transition temperatures, typically around 250 and 430 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3991–3996, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of new polyimides containing calix[4]arenes in the polymer backbone

Two diaminocalix[4]arene monomers were synthesized from p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene through a 4-step reaction sequence. New copoly(amic acid)s containing calix[4]arene moieties on the polymer backbone were successfully synthesized in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone by polycondensations of 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) with the diaminocalix[4]arene monomers using 4,4′-oxydiphenylene diamine (ODA) as a comonomer. These copoly(amic acid)s were soluble in aprotic polar solvents, so that they can be processed in various ways. The copoly(amic acid) precursors were thermally converted to the corresponding copolyimides in films. The copolyimide films are amorphous, but insoluble in common solvents. They are thermally stable up to 366°C. The copolyimides exhibit relatively high TEC's, low T_g's, low refractive index, low dielectric constant, low optical anisotropy, low dielectric anisotropy, and low water uptake, compared to those of conventional ODPA-ODA polyimide. These property characteristics were interpreted in regard to bulky, cone-like calix[4]arene moieties and their effects on the chain conformation and morphological structure. The processability and property characteristics support that both of the copolyimides containing calix[4]arene moieties are potential candidate materials suitable for membranes, antioxidant additives, chemical sensor devices, and microelectronic devices. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2013–2026, 1999     

Amphiphilic silicones prepared from branched PEO‐silanes with siloxane tethers

Amphiphilic silicones were prepared by the covalent incorporation of branched polyethylene oxide (PEO) via a siloxane tether. This was achieved by using six novel branched PEO‐silanes with varying siloxane tether lengths and PEO molecular weight (M_n). Each PEO‐silane was crosslinked via acid‐catalyzed sol–gel condensation with α,ω‐bis(Si‐OH)polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) (M_n = 3000 g/mol) to yield six amphiphilic silicone films. Film surface hydrophilicity increased with siloxane tether length, particularly after exposure to an aqueous environment, indicating that the PEO segments were more readily driven to the surface. This effect was more pronounced for films prepared with PEO‐silanes containing lower M_n PEO segments. AFM was used to study surface reconstruction of films upon exposure to an aqueous environment. Adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human fibrinogen (HF) proteins decreased with siloxane tether length, particularly after first exposing films to an aqueous environment. For a given siloxane tether length, relatively less BSA adsorbed onto films prepared with PEO‐silanes with lower M_n PEO segments whereas less HF adsorbed onto films prepared with PEO‐silanes with higher M_n PEO segments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4108–4119, 2010     

Physical properties of films made of copoly(ether-imide)s with long poly(ethylene oxide) segments

Polyimides having long poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, moieties in the main chain have been synthesized by a classical two-steps polycondensation method with good yield and high molecular weight. In contrast with previous works on this topic, essentially full conversion of the polyamic acid to polyimide was attained by heating at relatively low temperatures (around 160 °C).These copolyimides undergo an increase of phase separation between the PEO part and the polyimide one after a thermal annealing. This phase separation increases gas separation properties of membranes made up of these copolymers. An exhaustive study of polymer properties as a function of the thermal treatment has been carried out in order to figure out the origin of this behavior. The analysis performed included TGA, DSC, SAXS and mechanical testing.The polymers studied in this paper have medium thermal stability. In fact, degradation of the polyether chain under nitrogen takes place at temperatures above 300 °C. However, their thermal stabilities were much lower under oxidant atmosphere.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyimide‐polysiloxane segmented copolymers for fuel cell applications

Sulfonated polyimides exhibit high strength, good film‐forming ability, chemical resistance, and, in their hydrated state, relatively high proton conductivity. Here we report the one‐pot synthesis of sulfonated polyimide‐polysiloxane segmented copolymers through the reaction of a dianhydride with a mixture of three diamines: a nonionic aromatic diamine (4,4′‐oxydianiline), a sulfonated diamine (4,4′‐diamino‐2,2′‐biphenyldisulfonic acid), and a telechelic diamino polysiloxane. Copolymer compositions were evaluated using ¹H NMR and size‐exclusion chromatography. The presence of ion‐containing diamines in the reaction mixture inhibited stoichiometric incorporation of hydrophobic siloxane segments. Siloxane segments were found to lower the thermal stability of the polyimide host. Copolymers with and without siloxane segments were cast into free‐standing films. Equilibrium water sorption studies of cast films show that, for the compositions studied here, the presence of siloxane segments does not interfere with water swelling, suggesting that a microphase‐segregated morphology may exist. TEM and SAXS analyses show evidence of phase‐segregation in sulfonated polyimides and reveal that siloxane segments strongly affect ionic clustering. However, proton conductivity only changes slightly when polysiloxane segments are incorporated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3747–3758, 2007     

Highly ordered nanoporous thin films by blending of PSt‐b‐PMMA block copolymers and PEO additives as structure directing agents

Herein, we present a simple method for producing nanoporous templates with a high degree of lateral ordering by self‐assembly of block copolymers. A key feature of this approach is control of the orientation of polymeric microdomains through the use of hydrophilic additives as structure directing agents. Incorporation of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) moieties into poly(styrene‐b‐methyl methacrylate) (PSt‐b‐PMMA) diblock copolymers gives vertical alignment of PMMA cylinders on the substrate after solvent annealing. Because of the miscibility between PEO and PMMA, PEO additives were selectively positioned within PMMA microdomains and by controlling the processing conditions, it was found that ordering of PSt‐b‐PMMA diblock copolymers could be achieved. The perpendicular orientation of PMMA cylinders was achieved by increasing the molecular size of the PEO additives leading to an increased hydrophilicity of the PMMA domains and consequently to control the orientation of microdomains in PSt‐b‐PMMA block copolymer thin films. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 8041–8048, 2008     

Synthesis and properties of novel sulfonated polyimides containing 1,5‐naphthylene moieties

A series of novel sulfonated polyimides (equivalent weight per sulfonic acid = 310–744 g/equiv) containing 10–70 mol % 1,5‐naphthylene moieties were synthesized as potential electrolyte materials for high‐temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The polycondensation of 1,4,5,8‐naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′‐diamino‐2,2′‐biphenyldisulfonic acid, and 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene gave the title polymer electrolytes. The polyimide electrolytes were high‐molecular‐weight (number‐average molecular weight = 36.0–350.7 × 10³ and weight‐average molecular weight = 70.4–598.5 × 10³) and formed flexible and tough films. The thermal properties (decomposition temperature > 260 °C, no glass‐transition temperature), stability to oxidation, and water absorption were analyzed and compared with those of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers. The polyimide containing 20 mol % 1,5‐naphthylene moieties showed higher proton conductivity (0.3 S cm^?1) at 120 °C and 100% relative humidity than perfluorosulfonic acid polymers. The temperature and humidity dependence of the proton conductivity was examined. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3901–3907, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of fully aliphatic polyimides from an aliphatic dianhydride with piperazine spacer for enhanced solubility,transparency, and low dielectric constant

A new series of fully aliphatic polyimide (API) based on a novel aliphatic dianhydride monomer‐2,2′‐(1,4‐piperazinediyl)‐disuccinic anhydride (PDA), in which two units of succinic anhydride have been connected by an aliphatic heterocyclic piperazine spacer that possesses aminomethylene (‐NCH₂) moiety in the aliphatic/alicylic backbone capable of inducing charge transfer (CT) interactions in the polyimide network, was successfully synthesized. The APIs were soluble in common polar organic solvents. The polyimide films of PDA with alicyclic diamines were almost colorless. T₁₀ (temperature of 10% weight loss) of APIs were ranged from 299–418 °C and T_g of API3‐API6 were in the temperature range of 170 to 237 °C. The light‐colored polyimide films of API3‐API6 possessed good mechanical properties with tensile strength of 54–72 Mpa, tensile modulus of 1.6–2.3 Gpa and elongation at break of 4–9%. The polyimide films of API3‐API6 were highly flexible and free‐standing which is quite rare in fully APIs. The dielectric constant of one of the synthesized API (API4) was as low as 2.14. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2316–2328     

The influence of variant PE‐b‐PEO segments on physical properties of LLDPE graft copolymers

A method was adopted to fix a series of polymers of PE‐b‐PEO with different PEO/PE segments on the chains of LLDPE. Maleic anhydride (MA) reacting with hydroxyl group of PE‐b‐PEO (mPE‐b‐PEO) was used as the intermediate. The structures of intermediates and graft copolymers were approved by ¹H NMR and FTIR. XPS analysis revealed a great amount of oxygen on the surface of grafted copolymers although the end group of PEO was fixed on the LLDPE chains through MA. Thermal properties of the graft copolymers as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that PE segments in the grafted monomers could promote the heterogeneous nucleation of the polymer, increase T_c, and crystal growth rate. While the amorphous PEO segments which attached to the crystalline PE segments in LLDPE, impaired their ability to fit the crystal lattice, and depressed the crystallization of LLDPE backbones. In this study, it was also verified through the dynamic rheological data that increasing M_n of grafted monomers significantly increased the complex viscosity and enhanced the shear‐thinning behavior. Long‐branched chains formed by grafted monomers enhanced the complex moduli (G′ and G″) value and retarded relaxation rate. However, there were little influence on the rheological properties when increasing the amounts of PEO segments (or decreasing PE segments) of grafted monomers with similar molecular weight. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 506–515, 2008     

Ordered nanostructures from self‐assembly of H‐shaped coil–rod–coil molecules

A new class of π‐conjugated, skewed H‐shaped oligomers, consisting of biphenyl, phenylene vinylene, and phenylene ethynylene units as the rigid segment, were synthesized via Sonogashira coupling and Wittig reactions. The coil segments of these molecules were composed of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or PEO with lateral methyl groups between the rod and coil segment, respectively. The experimental results revealed that the lateral methyl groups attached to the surface of the rod and coil segments dramatically influenced the self‐assembling behavior of the molecules in the crystalline phase. H‐shaped rod–coil molecules containing a lateral methyl group at the surface of the rod and PEO coil segments self‐assemble into a two‐dimensional columnar or a three‐dimensional body‐centered tetragonal nanostructures in the crystalline phase, whereas molecules lacking a lateral methyl group based on the PEO coil chain self‐organize into lamellar or hexagonal perforated lamellar nanostructures. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 85–92     

Organosoluble polyimides and copolyimides based on 1,1‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐1‐phenylethane and aromatic dianhydrides

1,1‐Bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐1‐phenylethane (BAPPE) was prepared through nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1,1‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylethane and p‐chloronitrobenzene in the presence of K₂CO₃ in N,N‐dimethylformamide, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C. Novel organosoluble polyimides and copolyimides were synthesized from BAPPE and six kinds of commercial dianhydrides, including pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA, I_a ), 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA, I_b ), 3,3′,4,4′‐ biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA, I_c ), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA, I_d ), 3,3′,4,4′‐diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DSDA, I_e ) and 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidenediphthalic anhydride (6FDA, I_f ). Differing with the conventional polyimide process by thermal cyclodehydration of poly(amic acid), when polyimides were prepared by chemical cyclodehydration with N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone as used solvent, resulted polymers showed good solubility. Additional, I_a,b were mixed respectively with the rest of dianhydrides (I_c–f) and BAPPE at certain molar ratios to prepare copolyimides with arbitrary solubilities. These polyimides and copolyimides were characterized by good mechanical properties together with good thermal stability. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2082–2090, 2000     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of amphiphilic chitosan copolymers with mixed side chains by click chemistry

Novel amphiphilic chitosan copolymers with mixed side chains of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(ethylene oxide) (CS‐g‐PCL/PEO) were successfully synthesized by “graft to” approach via click chemistry. The melting and crystallization behaviors and crystalline morphology of CS‐g‐PCL/PEO copolymers can be adjusted by the alteration of the feed ratio of PCL and PEO segments. CS‐g‐PCL/PEO copolymers revealed crystalline morphology different from that of linear alkynyl PCL and alkynyl PEO due to the influence of brush structure of copolymers and the mutual influence of PCL and PEO segments. The hydrophilicity of the CS copolymers can be improved and adjusted by the alteration of the composition of PCL and PEO segments. Moreover, the CS copolymers can self‐assemble into spherical micelles in aqueous solution. Investigation shows that the size of the CS copolymer micelles increased with the increase of the content of hydrophobic PCL segments in copolymers, which indicated that the micellar behavior of the copolymers can be controlled by the adjustment of the ratio of PCL and PEO segments in copolymer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3476–3486, 2010     

Polyimides derived from novel asymmetric ether diamine

A new aromatic asymmetrical ether diamine, 5‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐1‐naphthylamine, was synthesized through the nucleophilic displacement of 4‐chloronitrobenzene with the potassium phenolate of 5‐amino‐1‐naphthol in dimethylformamide, followed by hydrazine palladium‐catalyzed reduction. A series of novel aromatic polyimides containing asymmetrical diaryl ether segments were prepared from the diamine with various aromatic dianhydrides via a conventional two‐step thermal or chemical imidization method. The poly(amic acid) precursors had inherent viscosities of 1.21–1.99 dL/g, and all of them could be cast and thermally converted into transparent, flexible, and tough polyimide films. The polyimides derived from less stiff dianhydrides generally displayed higher solubility. The glass‐transition temperatures of these polyimides were recorded between 307 and 336 °C by differential scanning calorimetry, and the softening temperatures of the polymer films were 299–344 °C according to thermomechanical analysis. The polyimides showed insignificant decomposition before 520 °C in air or nitrogen. For a comparative study, two series of analogous polyimides based on symmetrical diamines such as 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene and 1,5‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)naphthalene were also prepared and characterized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 331–341, 2005     

New PVK‐based nonlinear optical polymers: Enhanced nonlinearity and improved transparency

A series of poly(vinylcarbazole)‐based polymers containing sulfonyl‐based nonlinear optical chromophores as the side chains were prepared conveniently through a postfunctionalization approach. In the polymers, the subtle structure of the chromophore moieties could be easily modified by the introduction of different isolation group, to adjust the property of the resultant polymers. The polymers exhibited good optical transparency, besides their good processability and thermal stability. The poled polymer films exhibited large second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients of d₃₃ values (up to 28.6 pm/V) with excellent thermal stability (about 90% of the maximal SHG coefficients remain at ～ 110 °C). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2983–2993, 2008     

Soluble copolyimides with high modulus and low moisture absorption

A series of transparent copolyimides were prepared from PMDA-ODPA-TFDB via chemical imidization of the corresponding poly(amic acid)s. Copolyimides containing less than 70% PMDA were completely soluble in DMAc and other amide solvents and gave ductile films with unexpectedly high tensile moduli (up to 8.9 GPa). Water absorption, after boiling in water for 72 h, were less than 1 % for the copolymer with 67% PMDA and less than 0.5% for copolymers with less PMDA. Thermooxidative stability was comparable to a commercial polyimide film up to 325°C. A copolyimide containing 34% PMDA had the best overall properties based on the above tests. Additional evaluations revealed a coefficient of linear expansion of about 6 X 10^?6/°C, an essentially frequency independent dielectric constant of 2.8, a dissipation factor of about 0.004–0.01 over the range of 1–1000 kHz, and complete retention of tensile properties after exposure to a humid environment for 16 weeks. A model compound study suggests the probable presence of short blocks in these copolymers. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Photosensitive fluorinated polyimides with a low dielectric constant based on reaction development patterning

The fluorinated polyimide PI(6FDA/HFBAPP) was prepared by the reaction of 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) with 2,2‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane (HFBAPP) in 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/toluene. A multiblock copolyimide with both fluorinated and rigid‐rod segments, PI(6FDA/HFBAPP)(BPDA/2‐DMB), was prepared by the addition of a second dianhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), and a second diamine, 2,2′‐dimethylbenzidine (2‐DMB), to the polyimide main chain. The potential lithographic performance of photosensitive polyimides composed of nonphotosensitive fluorine‐containing polyimides and photosensitive diazonaphthoquinone (DNQ) was studied on the basis of a new imaging principle recently proposed by our laboratory, that is, reaction development patterning. Neat PI(6FDA/HFBAPP) showed a low dielectric constant (?) of 2.41 and a low dissipation factor (tan δ) of 0.0027 at 20 GHz, and a 10‐μm resolution of the fluorinated polyimide/DNQ system was demonstrated with reactive development with a solution including ethanolamine after ultraviolet exposure. Although slight changes in the dielectric properties were observed in the presence of DNQ residues, these values (? = 2.63 and tan δ = 0.0033 at 20 GHz) were low enough for use in microelectronic applications. However, PI(6FDA/HFBAPP)(BPDA/2‐DMB), having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE; 33 ppm/°C) than PI(6FDA/HFBAPP) (49 ppm/°C), exhibited good positive photosensitivity, whereas the relatively low‐CTE multiblock copolyimide displayed a much higher ? value (3.48 at 1 MHz) than the highly fluorinated polyimide (2.88 at 1 MHz). A film consisting of PI(6FDA/HFBAPP)(BPDA/2‐DMB) and the remaining DNQ derivatives showed a CTE value comparable to that of the neat polyimide film. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 861–871, 2003