Integration of Color Construction and Mechanical Enhancement of High-Performance Polyimide Fiber in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Fluid

Abstract

The rigid molecular structure and inherent golden color of polyimide fibers pose a significant challenge for its color construction. Traditional dyeing methods often come at the expense of mechanical properties due to the swelling effect. Here, the supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) dyeing method was used to balance the contradictory relationship between color and mechanical properties of polyimide. Employing scCO₂ fluid as the dyeing medium leverages its unique dissolution and diffusion properties to drive the dye deep into the fiber, thereby imparting the satisfactory color to the polyimide fiber with the uptake ratio of 31.46 mg/g and the color fastness of up to grade 5. Furthermore, the swelling effect of the carrier on the fibers and the optimization and arrangement effect of the fluid on the molecular chains produce a synergistic effect, resulting in the tensile strength increased by about 20%. Given its streamlined process, eco-friendly nature and consistent results, we anticipate this prospective approach to be a formidable competitor in the field of color construction of polyimide fibers.

Keywords

Polyimide / Color construction / Mechanical enhancement / Carrier / scCO₂ fluid

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Funding

the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFB3811901)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Donghua University, Shanghai, China