Structure-property correlation for thin films of semi-interpenetrating polyimide networks. I. Miscibility, curing, and morphology studies

Three different semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) polyimide systems were prepared through blending in solution by using 2 different polyimides, BPDA-PDA and PMDA-ODA (E), and 2 different oligomers, bismaleimide (MDAB) and phenylthynyl-terminated BPDA-PDA (BPDA-PDA-PEPA) oligomers. The oligomers are used as crosslinkers to modify the morphology of polyimides. The results show that both MDAB and PEPA are miscible with BPDA-PDA, but MDAB is immiscible with PMDA-ODA (E). Fourier transform infrared spectrum, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis data, and calculated crosslinking density indicate that there are crosslinking networks in these semi-IPN polyimide systems. In addition, the density and wide-angle X-ray diffraction results confirm that the molecular ordering and packing order are reduced by the addition of oligomers for these semi IPN polyimide systems. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.