Effect of the carboxylic acid groups on water sorption, thermal stability and dielectric properties of polyimide films

Films from copolyimides containing side carboxylic acid groups were prepared in –COOH and COO−Na+ forms to study the effect of the side groups content on some physical properties such as water absorption, thermal stability and electrical parameters. The thermal stability was evaluated by TGA and the results showed that degradation temperatures depended not only on the side groups content but also on the membrane ionic form. This dependence was also observed in the water sorption isotherms; the polyimides with the highest –COOH content showing the highest water sorption in the equilibrium. Dielectric impedance measurements revealed how the side groups and their ionic form affect the material electrical characteristics, in such a way that resistivity decreased and permittivity increased on introducing more –COOH groups in the polymer, which is also related to a higher water uptake of the films.

► Films from copolyimides containing carboxylic acid groups were prepared in –COOH and COO−Na+ forms.
► The effect of the side groups content on some physicochemical properties was reported.
► The films in COO−Na+ form showed higher thermal stability than films in acid form.
► Polyimides with the highest –COOH content showed the highest water sorption.
► Resistivity decreased and permittivity increased on increasing the –COOH content.