title: Cobalt-containing polyimides for moisture sensing and absorption.
abstract: A modified polyimide has been created that both senses and absorbs moisture. The material was prepared by introducing cobalt(II) chloride, a well-known moisture sensing and absorbing metal salt, into a polyimide. The final polymer was found to be fully cured, retaining the metal without any leeching, and was thermally stable. Furthermore, the material underwent a visible color change when exposed to moisture and reverted back to the original color when subsequently dried. The total moisture absorbed was measured with a quartz crystal microbalance. The amount of moisture absorption was found to be proportional to the relative humidity, and the modified polymer was found to have up to 3 times greater moisture absorption compared to the unmodified polymer.
authors.affiliation: Physical Sciences Laboratories, The Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 92957, M2/242, Los Angeles, California 90009-2957, USA. Sara.R.Halper@aero.org
authors.forename: Sara R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Halper
authors.forename: Randy M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Villahermosa
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D003035:Cobalt / Q000737:chemistry*; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007094:Imides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016062:Porosity; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007094:Imides; D014867:Water; D003035:Cobalt