Vat Photopolymerization of All-Aromatic Polyimides

Student’s name: Abigail Keyes Home Institution: University of Arizona NNCI Site: NCI-SW @ Arizona State REU Principal Investigator: Professor Timothy Long, Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing, Arizona State University REU Mentor(s): Garvit Nayyar, Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing, Arizona State University Abstract: Ranging from aerospace to automobiles to medical applications, polymers have grown to play a significant role in the future of scientific development. Because of this, research in various high performance engineering polymers, such as polyimides, is attracting attention to further optimize the structure-property-processing understanding of these polymers in the aforementioned fields. In order to explore the polyimide field further, on a micron and nano scale, this research project focuses on synthesis and characterization of all-aromatic polyimide precursors, along with understanding the behavior of the imide and carbonized forms. For context, polyimides, due to their highly aromatic nature, are known for stability at high temperatures and in various chemical environments, thus making them optimal polymers in high stress applications. Previously, the Long group has successfully synthesized the polyimide precursor using 4-Aminophenyl ether (ODA) or Diphenyl Sulfide (DDS), which are photoactive and can be UV cured into complex geometries using vat photopolymerization and two-photon polymerization additive manufacturing techniques. With this previous research, we aim to extend the knowledge base of all-aromatic polyimides to further advance its multifaceted uses in different industries.