Condensation polyimides: Synthesis, solution behavior, and imidization characteristics

Abstract

Polyimides, in particular those derived from fully aromatic monomers, represent the most important class of high temperature polymers. In part, this is a direct result of their excellent combination of physical properties in addition to their outstanding thermo-oxidative stability. As a result, this class of polymers has seen relatively good success in a variety of diverse commercial applications. Although polyimides were initially intended for applications such as wire coatings and free standing films, their potential use as dielectric insulators and passivation layers in microelectronic applications has spurred a renewed interest in thse materials. In light of the new data generated by these research efforts, it is the objective of this review to tie together some of the early reports with the more recent literature data concerning the synthetic aspects of condensation polyimides, their solution behavior, and imidization characteristics. Its aim is to provide an up-to-date picture of the important factors involved in polyimide preparation and leave more detailed information to be gathered by the readers from the many key references cited if they desire. This will hopefully provide the readers with a more complete as well as correct picture of the rudiments of polyimide chemistry in addition to hopefully stimulating research interests in those areas which are less completely understood.