Equibiaxially stretchable colorless and transparent polyimides for flexible display substrates

Abstract

4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride) (BPADA) was reacted with three structurally different diamines to produce poly(amic acid)s, which were then imidized to produce colorless and transparent polyimide (CPI) films through stepwise thermal cyclization. The three amines used to synthesize CPI based on BPADA are: bis(3-aminophenyl)sulfone (APS), p-xylyenediamine (p-XDA), and bis[4-(3-aminophenoxy)-phenyl] sulfone (m-BAPS). The obtained CPI films were almost colorless and exhibited excellent optical transparencies. The solubility of the CPI films in various solvents was investigated, and all the CPI films were found to be soluble in common solvents such as chloroform, dichloromethane, N,N'-dimethyl acetamide, and pyridine. The thermo-optical properties and oxygen transmission rates (O2TRs) of the CPI films were examined for various biaxial stretching ratios in the range of 100-150%, and their properties were compared. When the stretching ratio changed from 100 to 150%, the glass transition temperature and yellow index did not show any significant change; however, the O2TR decreased for all CPI films.