Effects Of Crosslinking Agents On The Physical Properties Of Polyimide/Amino-Functionalized Graphene Oxide Hybrid Films

The effects of crosslinking agents (crosslinkers) on polyimide (PI)/graphene oxide (GO) hybrid films were extensively investigated. The surface of GO was modified with amino groups using 4-aminobenzylamine to improve compatibility with pyromellitic dianhydride/4,4-oxydianiline PI, and two kinds of crosslinkers were used: tris(4-aminophenyl)amine and 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine (melamine). The mechanical, thermal and optical properties of the PI hybrid films were investigated. In particular, the transparency and physical properties of the PI hybrid films containing amino-functionalized GO with homogeneous dispersion were improved. As the content of the crosslinker increased, a crosslinking network was formed between the PI chains, and the stiffness of the hybrid films was increased. The glass transition temperature, heat resistance and mechanical properties were also enhanced. The PI hybrids prepared with a rigid crosslinker exhibited higher optical transparency due to the reduction of the intermolecular charge transfer interactions with increasing interchain spacing between the PI chains. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry