Composites of multiblock (segmented) aliphatic poly(ester imide) with zirconia nanoparticles: Synthesis, mechanical properties, and pervaporation behavior

Abstract

On the basis of pyromellitic dianhydride, p-phenylenediamine, and poly(butylene adipate) diol (M n = 1 × 103) and poly(ethylene adipate) diol (M n = 1 × 104) taken at a molar ratio of 10 : 1, initial samples of multiblock poly(ester imide) and its composites with nanoparticles of two types—zirconia ZrO2 surface-treated with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and zirconia doped with yttria (Y0.03Zr0.97O1.985)—are synthesized. Nanoparticles are introduced into the polymer matrix at the stage of synthesis of the poly(ester imide) prepolymer. The mechanical properties of films of poly(ester imide) and its nanocomposites are determined under static and dynamic testing conditions, and the permeabilities and separation selectivities of corresponding solid films for mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons (toluene-n-octane and benzenecyclohexane) of various compositions are measured under pervaporation testing conditions. It is shown that the different mechanical and pervaporation properties of film samples are due to the presence of zirconiabased nanoparticles.