Silver-Polyimide Nanocomposite Films Yielding Highly Reflective Surfaces

Abstract

Highly reflective surface-metallized flexible polyimide films have been prepared by the incorporation of the soluble silver ion complex (1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetonato)silver(I) into dimethylacetamide solutions of the poly(amic acid) prepared from 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) and 2,2-bis4-(4-AMINOPHENOXY)PHENYL)PHENYLhexafluoropropane (4-BDAF). Thermal curing of solution cast silver(I)-poly(amic acid) films leads to cycloimidization of the amic acid with concommitant silver(I) reduction and formation of a reflective surface-silvered film at 8 and 13 weight percent silver. The metallized films are thermally stable and flexible with mechanical properties similar to those of the parent polyimide. TEM reveals that the bulk (interior) of the polyimide composite films have 5-20 nanometer-sized silver particles with a surface layer of silver metal ca. 80 nm thick. Neither the bulk nor the surface of the films is electrically conductive. Adhesion of the surface metal to polyimide is excellent.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADP012236

Entities

People

  • C. J. Dean
  • D. W. Thompson
  • J. L. Scott
  • Robin E. Southward
  • S. T. Broadwater

Organizations

  • College of William & Mary

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Materials
  • Films
  • Glass Transition Temperature
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Nanocomposites
  • Particles
  • Reflectivity
  • Solar Energy
  • Solar Radiation
  • Test Methods
  • Thermal Stability
  • Transition Temperature
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Surface Science
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.