Preparation of polyimide/silica/silver composite films and studies on their structure and properties

Polyimide/silica/silver hybrid films were prepared via the combination of sol-gel method and in situ single-stage self-metallization technique. The structure of polyimide films in the thermal curing process and the influence of silica content on the transfer and aggregation of silver particles to the surface of hybrid films were investigated. Films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and mechanical measurements. The results indicated that there was no degradation of polyimide matrix after the formation of silica and silver particles. Silica acted as the nucleus for the silver particles. With increasing the content of silica, more and more silver particles keep in the hybrid films instead of transferring onto the surface of the hybrid films, and the reflections of hybrid films decreased gradually.