Synthesis of PI/POSS nanocomposite films based on track nuclear membranes and assessment of their resistance to oxygen plasma flow

This work presents, for the first time, data on the possibility of synthesizing polyimide nanocomposite films based on track nuclear membranes and organosiloxane (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes) POSS structures. The synthesis of the nanocomposite films was carried out by filling the tracks of a polyimide membrane with POSS structures under hydrothermal conditions in a high-pressure reactor. The surface and mechanical characteristics of the developed nanocomposite films were studied, and the results of their resistance to the flow of oxygen plasma are presented. It was found that the introduction of POSS structures significantly increased the resistance of polyimide to the flow of oxygen plasma. The PI/POSS composite exhibited an insignificant change in weight, the weight loss reached 0.92 ± 0.05 mg/cm2 in 24 h after the start of the experiment, which is almost two orders of magnitude lower than that of the polyimide film. [Display omitted] •PI/POSS nanocomposite films obtained in a high-pressure reactor.•POSS structures are located in the tracks of the PI nuclear membrane.•The effect of oxygen plasma on PI and PI/POSS was investigated.•The erosion yield of PI – 3.05 × 10−24 cm3/atom, PI/POSS – 0.15 × 10−24 cm3/atom3.•Mechanical performance of PI/POSS nanocomposite films after oxygen plasma increased.