Aromatic polyimides as carbon precursors

Aromatic polyimides are often employed as carbon precursors to prepare in various morphologies. After a brief explanation on carbonization behavior of aromatic polyimides, structure and functionalities of carbon materials prepared from polyimides are reviewed; highly-crystalline graphite membranes, nanoporous carbon membranes, carbon foams, carbon nanofibers and carbon nanoparticles. The advantages of polyimides as carbon precursors are discussed.