Preparation and properties of polyimide nanocomposites with negative thermal expansion nanoparticle filler

► Polyimide nanocomposites with nanoparticles of zirconium tungstate were prepared. ► Effect of surface functionalized ZrW2O8 on properties of nanocomposites is reported. ► Polyimide-ZrW2O8 nanocomposites exhibit reduced CTE and increased tensile modulus. ► The CTE of polyimide is reduced by 22% with the addition of 15 volume% ZrW2O8. ► Surface functionalization of filler improves the tensile properties of composites.