Efficient poly(methyl-ether-imide)/LDH nanocomposite derived from a methyl rich bisphenol: From synthesis to properties

• A methyl rich soluble polyimide was prepared using a new bisphenol as starting material.
• The methyl rich polyimides showed good thermal, combustion and mechanical properties.
• Nanocomposites based on the polyimide and one step synthesized organo-modified Mg–Al LDH were prepared.
• The properties of the nanocomposites were characterized using various analytical techniques.

New poly(methyl-ether-imide)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites were successfully fabricated through solution intercalation technique. For this purpose a methyl rich bisphenol was synthesized and used as starting material to produce a new diamine with an ether linkage and then was used to synthesis a new poly(methyl-ether-imide) (PMEI). The produced polymer was fully characterized using various techniques. The Effects of the one step synthesized organo-modified Mg–Al LDH on the thermal, combustion and mechanical properties of PMEI/Mg–Al LDH nanocomposites were studied. Microscopic investigations revealed that the corresponding nanocomposites exhibited exfoliated and/or intercalated morphology. Thermogravimetric analysis results in both nitrogen and air atmospheres indicated that thermal stability of the developed nanocomposites was improved as compared to the neat PMEI. Microscale combustion calorimetry revealed that the synthesized PMEI had low flammability and Mg–Al LDH inclusion could further improve its combustion properties. Tensile strength of PMEI filled with 4 mass% of LDH was increased from 54 to 58 MPa as compare to the neat PMEI.

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