Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Preparation and Properties of Mechanically Robust, Colorless, and Transparent Aramid Films

Version 1 : Received: 29 December 2023 / Approved: 3 January 2024 / Online: 3 January 2024 (10:37:02 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Kim, H.; Noh, J.-H.; Kim, Y.-R.; Kim, H.; Kwak, G. Preparation and Properties of Mechanically Robust, Colorless, and Transparent Aramid Films. Polymers 2024, 16, 575. Kim, H.; Noh, J.-H.; Kim, Y.-R.; Kim, H.; Kwak, G. Preparation and Properties of Mechanically Robust, Colorless, and Transparent Aramid Films. Polymers 2024, 16, 575.

Abstract

In this study, various diamine monomers were used to synthesize aramid polymer films via a low-temperature solution condensation reaction with diacid chloride. For diamines with relatively high basicity, the reaction system became opaque because amine salt formation inhibited polymer synthesis. Meanwhile, low-basicity diamines with strong electron-withdrawing groups, such as CF3 and sulfone, were smoothly polymerized without amine salt formation to provide highly viscous solutions. The acid byproduct HCl generated during polymerization was removed by adding propylene oxide to the reaction vessel and converting the acid into highly volatile inert substances. The resulting solutions were used as varnishes without any additional purification, and polymer films with an excellent appearance were easily obtained through a conventional casting and convection drying process. The films neither tore nor broke when pulled or bent by hand; furthermore, even when heated up to 400°C, they did not decompose or melt. Moreover, polymers prepared from 2,2-bis (trifluoromethyl) benzidine (TFMB) and bis (4-aminophenyl) sulfone (pAPS) did not exhibit glass transition until decomposition. The prepared polymer films showed a high elastic modulus of more than 4.1 GPa and a high tensile strength of more than 52 MPa. In particular, TFMB-, pAPS-, and 2,2-bis (4-aminophenyl) hexafluoropropane-based polymer films were colorless and transparent, with very high light transmittances of 95%, 96%, and 91%, respectively, at 420 nm and low yellow indexes of 2.4, 1.9, and 4.3, respectively.

Keywords

aramid film; acid removal; tensile strength; elastic modulus; transmittance; yellow index

Subject

Chemistry and Materials Science, Polymers and Plastics

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