A new kind of intermediate hybrid nanocomposites (NCs)
composed of poly(amic acid) (PAA) and surface modified
ceria nanoparticles (NP)s had been prepared by sonochemical assisted synthesis. The PAA containing pendent
benzamide units had been synthesized by the reaction of
3,5-diamino-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) benzamide and benzene1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic dianhydride through polycondensation reaction. The structure of the prepared PAA was
studied by spectroscopic techniques. The surface modifications of ceria NPs were achieved by using hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. Results of FTIR analysis demonstrated
that the aliphatic chains have been covalently bonded to
the surface of the CeO2 NPs. PAA/CeO2 NCs with different
contents including 4, 8, and 12 wt% of CeO2 NPs was prepared by using sonochemical method. Characterization
with FTIR, powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron
microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM)
confirmed the success in synthesis of NCs with well dispersion properties. XRD analysis results showed that the
obtained NCs displayed the crystalline nature of ceria
NPs and the amorphous character of PAA matrix. The particles size of ceria NPs in NCs are about 50–70 nm as
characterized by FE-SEM, TEM, and AFM analyses. This
work demonstrates the application of intermediates
as new matrices for preparation of hybrid nanostructures.