In this paper, we present the first preparation of an intrinsically dopable polyimide (DPI) membrane containing an amine-capped aniline trimer (ACAT) that reveals advanced gas separation capabilities as well as mechanically and thermally enhanced properties. The as-prepared DPI membrane was synthesized by reacting ACAT and 4,4 0 -(4,4 0isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride) (BSAA) through a conventional thermal imidization reaction. Polyaniline (PANI) and conventional nondopable polyimide (NDPI) membranes were also prepared as controls. The DPI membranes were found to reveal permselectivities (R) of O 2 /N 2 of about 13.54, which is about 1.96-and 1.54-fold higher than that of NDPI and PANI, respectively, based on the investigation of gas permeability analysis (GPA). Upon doping with 1.0 M HCl (aq), the pemselectivities of DPI for O 2 /N 2 were found to be further increased to about 16.63. Moreover, significantly enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of the as-prepared DPI membrane were also found as compared to those of NDPI and PANI membranes, based on the studies of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively.
An electroactive polyimide fiber (EPF) mat based on conjugated segments of electroactive aminocapped aniline trimer (ACAT) as a diamine and 4,4 0 -(4,4 0 -sopropylidenediphenoxy)-bis(phthalic anhydride) (BSAA) as a dianhydride was successfully prepared by electro-spin technology with electrochemical activity and dopable properties, which were similar to polyaniline. The degree of electrochemical activity and dopable properties can be tuned by varying the content of ACAT existing in the as-prepared electro-spun EPF mats. After doping with perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), the water contact angle of EPF surface is increased from hydrophobicity at 133 to superhydrophobicity at 155 . It is interesting that the EPF mat undergoes a switchable process from superhydrophobicity to superhydrophilicity via doping with PFOS and de-doping with ammonium gas.
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