A microwave-assisted aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction has been used to synthesize high molecular weight Poly(ArylEtherKetone)s (PAEKs) within very short reaction times and through a highly simplified process. The influence of different parameters, (namely the microwave power, solvent nature, or reaction time) on the polymer molecular weights were studied in order to optimize the polymerization conditions. The polymers thus obtained were characterized and compared with their analogues synthesized by conventional thermal polycondensation. This work underlines the potential of microwaveassisted aromatic polymer synthesis.

In the present study, the synthesis of high molecular weight polyimides was conducted in water using microwave irradiation. High molecular weight polymers were obtained after only 5 min of reaction time. The influence of different experimental parameters is discussed in connection with a thorough characterization of the synthesized polymers. From these polymers, self-supporting films were obtained.

No abstract