Impact of nano-sized ceria particles upon the cyclization kinetics of poly(amic acid) films

The experimental study was conducted of the impact of ceria nanoparticles introduced into poly(amic acid), the prepolymer of thermally stable aromatic polyimide, upon the kinetics of the thermal cyclization of the film of this prepolymer, the reaction of its transformation to the final polyimide film in the course of its thermal treatment. The nano-filler was shown to accelerate the initial stage of cyclization, occurring at temperatures ranging from 100–120$^\circ$C. A possible way of practical application of this effect was discussed.