ABSTRACT
SREENIVASA REDDY PUNIREDD, FENGXIANG ZHANG, ZHIGANG JIA, SAI HOOI YEONG and M. P. SRINIVASAN∗ Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E5, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117576
Abstract-A wide range of new materials for many applications can be formed by controlling the composition and order of constituents at the molecular level. For systems thus engineered, ensuring chemical, thermal and mechanical robustness is a major challenge. Consequently, polyimides and other imide-containing materials are attractive as matrices for functional materials. We are investigating the construction of functional nanostructures in organic/polymeric matrices with clearly demonstrated chemical, thermal and mechanical stability. Surface functionalisation, layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly in various media (including supercritical), incorporation of functional moieties, molecular orientation, and interfacial reactions are areas of interest. We have demonstrated the robustness of ultrathin film structures containing polyimides and oligoimides formed by LBL molecular assembly with inter-layer covalent links. Covalent bonding between the layers provides strength while utilization of a supercritical medium for processing results in the deployment of a solvent-free environment and avoids problems related to residual solvent, thereby improving film quality when compared to conventional films.
