Metal-polyimide nanocomposite films:: Single-stage synthesis of silvered polyimide films prepared from silver(I) complexes and BPDA/4,4′-ODA

Highly reflective and surface conductive flexible polyimide films have been prepared by the incorporation of silver(I) acetate and 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione or 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione into a dimethylacetamide solution of the poly(amic acid) formed from 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4'-oxydianiline. Thermal curing of the silver(I)-containing poly(amic acid) leads to cycloimidization of the polyimide precursor with concomitant silver(I) reduction yielding reflective and conductive silvered surfaces with properties approaching those of the native metal. The metallized films usually exhibit mechanical and thermal properties close to that of the parent polyimide. Films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.