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Published in:
01-06-2025 | Original Paper
The role of carbon nanofillers in the aging processes of polyimide composites
Authors: Igor Kuntsman, Alexandra Nikolaeva, Andrei Didenko, Elena Vlasova, Elena Ivan’kova, Iosif Gofman, Sergey Larin
Published in: Journal of Polymer Research | Issue 6/2025
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Abstract
The article investigates the critical role of carbon nanofillers in the aging processes of polyimide (PI) composites, which are essential in various high-performance applications. It highlights the unique properties of polyimides, such as their high breakdown strength, heat resistance, and chemical and radiation resistance, which make them indispensable in aggressive environments. The study focuses on the impact of thermo-oxidative aging on PI matrices, revealing intricate phenomena like chain scission, crosslinking, and depolymerization that affect mechanical and thermal properties. The incorporation of carbon nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon nanofibers (CNF), is shown to significantly enhance the mechanical properties and thermal stability of PI composites. The article provides detailed experimental data, including mechanical tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to elucidate the mechanisms by which nanofillers improve the resistance of PI to thermal aging. The findings suggest that carbon nanofillers can alter the activation energy of aging processes, leading to prolonged retention of material properties under high-temperature conditions. This research offers valuable insights into the development of durable, high-performance materials for applications in aerospace, microelectronics, and other demanding industries.
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Abstract
The effect of carbon nanoparticles on the aging processes of several polyimide (PI) systems has been investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy. The novelties of this study include the detailed analysis of the dynamics of changes in the mechanical properties caused by thermal aging, which revealed a slower rate of the aging processes in nanocomposite films compared to that of the unfilled films. It was demonstrated for the first time that the introduction of carbon nanoparticles leads to a slower reduction in the strength and ultimate deformation of the films under thermal aging conditions. For example, at 450 ˚C the tensile stress of PMDA-ODA/nanocarbon composite films decreased to 50% of their initial value within approximately 90 min. This rate is about 1.5 times slower than of the control PMDA-ODA film, which took 60 min to reach the same reduction. The results of isothermal TGA showed that the introduction of carbon nanoparticles led to an increase in the activation energy of the aging processes in PI-based composites by up to 1.5 times, depending on the type and concentration of nanofillers, compared with the values for unfilled films. The activation energy of the aging processes was calculated as 89 kJ/mol for the R-ODA, 155 kJ/mol for PMDA-ODA, and for the composite films: 225 kJ/mol (PMDA-ODA/2% CNT), 191 kJ/mol (PMDA-ODA/5% CNF), 127 kJ/mol (R-ODA/2% CNT), and 134 kJ/mol (R-ODA/5% CNF). Using FTIR spectroscopy, it was found that the presence of nanocarbon in the PI systems enhances the intermolecular interactions between the PI chains (including π-π interactions), which may explain the increased stability of the composites during heat treatment.
