Polyimides Containing Azobenzene Side Units: Properties and Correlation with Conformational Parameters

Two series of aromatic polyimides differing by the bridging group between imide rings, polymers a, b, and c, having C?O linkages and polymers d, e, and f, having C(CF₃)₂ groups, have been obtained by polycondensation reaction of aromatic dianhydrides with aromatic diamines containing substituted azobenzene groups. These polymers with good solubility in polar amidic solvents, were able to form transparent flexible films and showed high thermal stability. Conformational parameters of the polymers were calculated by the Monte Carlo method with allowance for hindered rotation. Several physical properties of these polymers, such as solubility, glass transition temperature (T_g), and initial decomposition temperature (T_onset) were measured and discussed in relation to the volume factor of the macromolecular chains. The volume factor is equal to ratio of the Van der Waals volume of the pendent group to the Van der Waals volume of the repeating unit of the main chain.