Effect of nanosized carbon fillers on the hydrolytic stability of films of a heat-resistant aromatic polyimide

Abstract

The effect of carbon nanoparticles (nanofibers, nanocones/nanodiscs) introduced into a polypyromellitimide matrix on the stability of the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the resulting nanocomposite film materials in the course of hydrolysis in aqueous alkali was studied. The nanocomposite films are less resistant to hydrolysis than the unfilled films of the matrix polyimide. The decreased packing density in the nanocomposite material is considered to be the major factor responsible for the observed effects. A certain excess void volume in the nanocomposite appears owing to insufficient compatibility of the matrix polyimide with the nanoparticles, manifested in the course of the material preparation.