A series of poly(imide-ether)-clay nanocomposite materials-based 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride and 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)propane and layered sodium montmorillonite (MMT/Na+) clay were successfully prepared by in situ reaction through thermal imidization up to 200°C. Poly(amic acid) (6) was prepared through the reaction of 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)propane (4) and 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (5), and then a thermal plan of imidization was used for the synthesis of nanocomposite materials. The resulting nanocomposite films containing 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt.% of organoclay were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The introduction of organoclay in the polymer resulted in improved thermal stability.
