Preparation of Poly(ether imide) and Related Sepiolite Nanocomposits Derived from a New Pyridine-Based Diamine Monomer

n the present study, a new poly(ether imide) (PEI) and related sepiolite nanocomposites were prepared based on a new fully aromatic diamine containing ether, pyridine and phenylene groups. A 3-step procedure was used to synthesize diamine monomer starting from nucleophilic substitution of hydroquinone with 1-fluoro-4-nitrobenzene followed by Pd/C catalyzed reduction of prepared nitrophenol (NPP) to produce aminophenol (APP) compound. The final step was nucleophilic substitution of APP with 2,6-dichloropyridine. The synthesized diamine was polycondensed with 4,4 -(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) and poly(ether amic acid) prepolymer was prepared. Pure PEI and different nanocomposite films having 1, 3 and 5 wt% of sepiolite nanofibers were prepared by thermal imidization process. Thermal, physical and mechanical properties of samples were studied and compared. Cross-section morphology of nanocomposite films was also observed. The new PEI and related nanocomposites exhibited a desirable balance of thermal and mechanical properties.