Asymmetric-based novel poly(ether-imide)s: Preparation,properties,kinetics of thermal decomposition,and study electrochemical oxidation behavior by using nanocomposite paste of polymer and multi-walled carbon nanotube

Abstract

A series of novel fluorescent poly(ether-imide)s (PEIs) bearing ether linkage and diarylimidazole pendant in the backbone was successfully prepared by polycondensation reaction between a new unsymmetrical diamine and commercially available tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides. The PEIs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H-NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis. The PEIs with inherent viscosities in the range of 0.47–0.63 dL g⁻¹ showed excellent solubility in various aprotic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and N,N-dimethylformamide. Thermal properties of new PEIs were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetric and thermogravimetric analysis in N₂ and air. These polymers showed glass transition temperatures (T _g) in the range of 269–333 °C and 10% weight loss temperatures above 400 °C in air atmosphere. The data obtained from TGA experiments of these polymers have been applied in different kinetic equations such as Coats–Redfern, Kissinger and Criado methods, to determine the kinetic parameters (E, ▵S, ▵G, ▵H) and mechanism of thermal decomposition. Herein a method based on the adsorptive stripping cyclic voltammetry technique to investigate electrochemical oxidation of these polymers by using multi-walled carbon nano tubes modified glass electrode is also reported.