Production, characterization, and surface morphology of novel aromatic poly(amide-ester-imide)/functionalized TiO2 nanocomposites via ultrasonication assisted process

Abstract

New aromatic poly(amide-ester-imide) (PAEI) was prepared by phase transfer-catalyzed interfacial polycondensation of N,N′-(1,3,5,7-tetraoxo-5,7-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-f]isoindole-2,6(1H,3H)-diyl)bis(4 hydroxybenzamide) diol, with isophthaloyl chloride. The resulting PAEI was characterized by inherent viscosity measurements, solubility test, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Then, the PAEI was used as a polymer matrix for the preparation of PEAI/modified TiO₂ nanocomposite (NC). In order to improve the dispersion of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles was modified with N,N′-(pyromellitoyl)-bis-l-isoleucine diacid (DA). The obtained PAEI/DA-TiO₂ NCs were characterized by FT-IR spectra, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Morphology study demonstrated that DA-TiO₂ nanoparticles were dispersed homogeneously in the polymer matrix. The thermogravimetric analysis indicated an enhancement of the thermal stability of the NCs via increasing nanoparticles contents.