Synthesis and properties of UV-curable poly(imideurethane) acrylates

Poly(imideurethane) acrylates (PIUAs) were obtained in solution by a three-step method, from cycloaliphatic diisocyanate, benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, three kinds of diols, and two kinds of monohydroxyacrylic esters (HEA, PETA). These polymers were used as components of the photosensitive compositions together with two reactive diluents and four photoinitiators. Using a mercury lamp (power 375 W) and Irgacure 907 as the photoinitiator some compositions spin coated on glass were cured rapidly within 10-30 s. In the preliminary photolithographic study with less advantageous exposure of lambda(max) 406 nm, patterns with 10-mum resolution were acquired. The cured PIUAs exhibited in thermogravimetric analysis a superior thermostability to 400degreesC than known poly(urethaneacrylates) and poly(urethaneimide) acrylates from aromatic diisocyanates. DSC and DMTA were used to characterize the thermomechanical stability and the glass-transition temperatures of the PIUA segments. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 971-980, 2004.