Synthesis and Carbonization of Polyimide Nanoparticles Modified with Long Alkyl Chains Aspiring to Non-precious-metal Fuel Cell Catalysts

Abstract

Polyimide (PI) nanoparticles are known as precursors of non-precious metal cathode catalysts, which are expected to be the alternatives for platinum-based catalysts for the globalization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Our research group previously reported the synthesis of PI nanoparticles with diameters of approximately 60 nm by the precipitation polymerization of pyromellitic dianhydride and 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene. This study focuses on the synthesis of PI nanoparticles with even smaller size by stabilizing the polymer/solvent interface. In addition to the same monomers as the previous study, dodecylamine was added to the polymerization system as an end-capping agent, and PI nanoparticles with diameters less than 50 nm have been successfully obtained.