Title

Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated polyaminoquinones and fluorinated polyimides

Date of Completion

January 2000

Keywords

Chemistry, Polymer|Engineering, Metallurgy|Engineering, Materials Science

Degree

Ph.D.

Abstract

Phenolic and quinonoid compounds are widely studied in biological sciences because of their ability to chelate heavy metals like iron and copper and recently have found new applications in synthetic macromolecules. Amino- p-benzoquinone polymers, poly[(2,5-hexamethylenediamino)-1,4-benzoquinone] and poly {[2,5-(2,2-bistrifluoromethyl)-4,4-biphenylenediamino]1,4-benzoquinone}, were synthesized and evaluated as adhesion promoters for steel/epoxy joints. An improvement in the torsional shear strength of these joints was observed when these polymers were used as adhesion promoters. The durability of the adhesive bond was also improved after boiling water treatment, relative to untreated and silane treated joints. The improvement in adhesion could be attributed to the formation of a chelate between the polyaminoquinone (PAQ) and the iron surface and a chemical reaction between the PAQ and the epoxy resin. A low molecular weight model compound, bis[2,5-(4-methylanilido)]-1,4-benzoquinone was also used to study coupling between the epoxy adhesive and the steel surface. Electron spin resonance (ESR), atomic absorption spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy were used to document the epoxy-coupling agent reaction and the chelate formation. ^ Polyimides have acquired importance in the last twenty years as the most promising macromolecules for high technology applications in new materials. Their good thermo-oxidative stability is well known, as well as their high glass transition temperature. Polyimides are versatile polymers, which can be utilized for a wide range of applications: i.e., as matrices for high performance advanced composite materials, as thin films in electronic applications, as structural adhesives and sealants and as membranes for gas separation. A novel anhydride, 1,1,1-trifluoromethyl-1-pentafluorophenylethylidene-2,2-diphthalic anhydride, 8FDA, was synthesized. ^ Five diamines were used in the synthesis of polyimides, namely p-phenylene diamine, 3,4-oxydianiline, 2,2-bis(3-aminophenyl)hexafluoropropane, 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine and 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane. A variety of structures was achieved, allowing for a thorough determination of the structure/properties relationship. The presence of the pentafluorophenyl substituent in the polyimide backbone imparted more flexibility to the 8F polyimides, as demonstrated by the low glass transition temperatures. The dielectric constant of these 8F polyimides was the lowest ever reported for polyimides. It is believed that the pentafluorophenyl group may increase the free volume and hydrophobicity of the 8F polyimides. The thermo- and thermo-oxidative stability of these 8F polyimides was also studied and appeared to be adequate for high temperature applications. ^

COinS