Two-dimensional ATR-FTIR spectroscopic study on the water diffusion behavior in polyimide/silica nanocomposite

To consider the reliability and performance of electronic devices based on polyimide derivatives, dynamic water sorption and diffusion behavior in a polyimide derivative: poly (4'4-oxydiphenylene pyromellitimide) (PMDA-ODA)/silica nanocomposite was investigated by two-dimensional ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, by which three states of water molecules owning different H-bonding strength were distinguished. The amounts and strength of H-bonding also played a significant role in determining the diffusion rate of the different states of water molecules. The type of aggregated water molecules which also formed H-bonding with silicic acid (residues) or polyimide system was the last one diffusing to the polymer side in contact with the ATR crystal element because the polymeric matrix blocked their diffusion to a great extent. The diffusion coefficient was also estimated to gain the information of the dynamic diffusion behavior.