Abstract

The diamine 1,4-phenylenedi(oxy-4,4-aniline) was prepared via the nucleophilic substitution reaction and polymerized with different
dianhydrides either by a one step solution polymerization reaction or a two steps procedure. These polymers had inherent viscosities
ranging from 0.64-0.83 dL g-1
. Few of the polymers were soluble in most of the organic solvents such as DMSO, DMF, DMAc, NMP and
m-cresol even at room temperature and some were soluble on heating. The degradation temperature of the resultant polymers falls in the
ranges from 300-450 oC in nitrogen (with only 10% weight loss). The specific heat capacity at 200 oC ranges -4.0322-2.4059 J g1 K1
. The
maximum degradation temperature ranges from 550-600 oC. Tg values of the polyimides were found from 207 to 228 oC. The activation
energy and enthalpy of the polyimides were found in the range of 36.6-94.5 and 34.8-92.5 kJ mole-1
and the moisture absorption from 0.24-
0.75%.

Key words: Polyimides, ether diamines, 1,4-phenylenedi(oxy-4,4-aniline), solubility, thermal stability