Novel porphyrinated polyimide nanofibers by electrospinning

A series of copolymers based on diaminotetraphenylporphyrin (DATPP), oxidianiline (ODA), and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) were synthesized. The resulting copoly(amic acid)s (CPAAs) were electrospun into uniform nanofibers. Subsequently, copolyimide (CPI) nanofibers were obtained from the CPAA nanofibers by thermal imidization. The morphologies and luminescence of these nanofibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). It was found from the'CLSM analyses that fluorescence quenching took place after the nanofibers were imidized. This could be attributed to the photoinduced electron transfer from excited porphyrin units to diimide acceptor groups. Thermogravimetric JG) analyses indicated the CPI nanofibers possessed excellent thermal stability. This kind of CPI nanofibers with high temperature resistance and unique photoelectric properties could be potential materials for optical switches, catalysis, nonlinear optics, and molecular wires used in normal and especially in high temperature circumstances.