Preparation, characterization and properties of amine-functionalized silicon carbide/polyimide composite films

High performance amino-functionalized silicon carbide/polyimide (m-SiC/PI) composite films were prepared using a straightforward polycondensation, and the nanoparticles (NP) obtained were modified using 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane. The presence of amine functional groups made dispersions of m-SiC NP in dimethylacetamide more homogeneous and uniform. Their structures and stabilities were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and zeta-potential analysis. The thermal stability and the tensile strength of the m-SiC/PI composite films improved with increasing m-SiC NP content, for example the inclusion of 3 wt% m-SiC NP increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus by 41.1% and 40.1%, respectively. The morphology of the cross-section revealed that breakage within these composite films was the result of ductile fracture, whereas for pure PI film it was caused by brittle fracture.