In situ generation of nanoparticulate lanthanum(III) oxide-polyimide films: characterization of nanoparticle formation and resulting polymer properties

An in situ and single-step route to creating a uniform dispersion of lanthanum(III) oxide nanoparticles in a polyimide is described. The process of thermally evolving, from the diaquotris(2,4-pentanedionato)lanthanum(III) complex, to a homogeneous dispersion of lanthanum(III) oxide nanoparticles within a 6FDA/1,3(3)-APB polyimide matrix has been characterized. The report also describes the resulting changes in the final properties of the hybrid material relative to the neat polyimide. Characterization techniques include dielectric spectroscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and gas permeability. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.