Production and characterization of nanocomposites based on poly(amide-imide) containing 4,4′-methylenebis(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline) using nano-TiO2 surface-coupled by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane

In this work, the poly(amide-imide) (PAI) was synthesized from the polymerization reaction of 4,4′-methylenebis(3-chloro-2,6-diethyl trimellitimidobenzene) as a diacid with 4,4′-methylenebis(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline) under green condition using molten tetra-n-butylammonium bromide and triphenylphosphite. Ultrasonic technique was used for preparation of PAI/TiO2 nanocomposites (PAI/TiO2 NCs). For the improvement of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) dispersion and enhancing interactions between NPs and polymeric matrix the surface of TiO2 was successfully modified by silane coupling agent (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane). The resulting NCs were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TGA of the obtained NCs proves the enhancement in the thermal stability with an increase in the percentage of titania NPs. TEM and FE-SEM images showed that the NPs were uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix. The shielding effect of nano TiO2 under UV radiation was examined by UV–vis.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The novel PAI was synthesized from the polymerization of diacid and MCDEA. ► Preparation of novel PAI/TiO2 NCs via ultrasonic technique. ► TiO2 particles were dispersed homogeneously in PAI matrix on nanoscale. ► The effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the properties of polymer was examined.