Formation of ordered macroporous films from fluorinated polyimide by water droplets templating

Preparation of honeycomb-patterned films from one of soluble fluorinated polyimides in a humid atmosphere was reported in this paper. This polyimide was synthesized from 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) and 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane (BDAF) by two-steps method, which has excellent solubility both in strong bipolar solvents or in common low boiling-point solvents. The glass transition temperature of 6FDA–BDAF polyimide was determined by DSC and as 238 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that soluble fluoro-polyimide has good thermal stability with maximum thermal decomposition temperature of 545 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. The honeycomb-patterned films were obtained by casting a drop of polymer solution on a solid substrate in a humid atmosphere. Some influence factors, such as the solution concentration, the type of the solvent and the humidity, were also tested.