Synthesis and Characterization of Ternary-Copolymer of Soluble Fluorinated Polyimides Based on 1,4-bis (4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy) benzene

A series of novel ternary-copolymer of fluorinated polyimides (PIs) were prepared from 1,4-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene (pBATB), commercially available aromatic dianhydrides, and aromatic diamines via a conventional two-step thermal or chemical imidization method. The structures of all the obtained PIs were characterized with FTIR, H-1-NMR, and element analysis. Besides, the solubility, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and moisture uptakes of the PIs were investigated. The weight-average molecular weight (M-w) and the number-average molecular weight (M-n) of the PIs were determined using gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). The PIs were readily dissolved not only in polar solvents such as DMF, DMAc, and NMP, but also in some common organic solvents, such as acetic ester, chloroform, and acetone. The glass transition temperatures of these PIs ranged from 201 to 234 degrees C and the 10% weight loss temperatures ranged from 507 to 541 degrees C in nitrogen. Meanwhile, all the PIs left around 50% residual even at 800 degrees C in nitrogen. The GPC results indicated that the PIs possessed moderate-to-high number-average molecular weight (Mn), ranging from 9609 to 17,628. Moreover, the polymer films exhibited good mechanical properties, with elongations at break of 8-21%, tensile strength of 66.5-89.8 MPa, and Young's modulus of 1.04-1.27 GPa, and low moisture uptakes of 0.54-1.13%. These excellent combination properties ensure that the polymer could be considered as potential candidates for photoelectric and microelectronic applications. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 128: 80-88, 2013