Electrochemical Properties of Polyimides and Related Imide Compounds

Polyimides can undergo reversible electrochemical reduction/oxidation reactions. The electroactive centers have been identified as involving the aromatic-carbonyl π-system of the imide functional groups. The aromatic structure and substitution on the imide moiety affects the redox potentials. The reduced (radical-anion and dianion) forms are stable and have strong absorbances in the visible spectral region. The degree of electronic transmission through the imide nitrogen for one- and two-electron reductions has been investigated using a Hammett (σ) correlation. Delocalization of excess electron density in reduced imides has been studied using FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. © 1990, The Electrochemical Society, Inc. All rights reserved.