Synthesis of Cu or Cu2O-polyimide nanocomposites using Cu powders and their optical properties

Nanocomposites consisting of Cu or Cu2O nanoparticles in various polyimide (PI) films were successfully prepared using polyamic acid (PAA) and Cu powders. Cu powders were dissolved into PAA solutions, and the solutions were spin-coated onto the substrates. Cu or Cu2O nanoparticles were formed in PI film by curing in a reducing or inert atmosphere, respectively. The Cu nanoparticles were transformed to Cu2O nanoparticles by post-heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere after curing in a reducing atmosphere. Transmission electron microscopy showed that uniform, round Cu2O nanoparticles 6.0 nm in diameter were dispersed in the PI film by post-heat treatment. The addition of Cu2O nanoparticles in the 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride-4,4'-oxydianiline (6FDA-ODA) PI film enhanced the refractive index of the 6FDA-ODA PI film from 1.60 to 1.72 at 633 nm, and the transparency of the nanocomposite film was about 70-90% in the visible region and remained around 90% beyond 550 nm.