Synthesis and characterization of bismaleimide-polyetherimide-titania hybrid

Ternary hybrids of bismaleimide-polyetherimide-titania were synthesized by sol-gel reaction and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimeter. Moreover, their mechanical properties were also measured. The results indicated that titania could be introduced into the blends of bismaleimide-polyetherimide(BMI/PEI) by sol-gel reaction. Although. the titania content in BMI-rich phase was higher than that in PEI-rich phase, the titania particles dispersed in the hybrids were almost uniform. The introduction of titania actually changed the ultimate phase structure of the PEI modified BMI system because of the chelate complex formation between o,o'-diallyl bisphenol A and dibutoxy bis(acetylacetonato) titanium (IV), which was proved by their ultraviolet spectra. If the content of titania was increased under a specific PEI content, the morphology of the bismaleimide-polyetherimide-titania hybrids remained unaffected apparently, while its mechanical properties were obviously improved. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.