Easy preparation of crosslinked polymer films from polyoxyalkylene diamine and poly(styrene–maleic anhydride) for electrostatic dissipation

The curing reaction of polyoxyalkylene diamine and poly(styrene–maleic anhydride) was able to produce polymer films that were hygroscopic in nature. The process involved the formation of an imine intermediate by dissolving the diamine monomers in a ketone solvent, followed by instant casting into films before the solution self‐cured into a gel product. Hydrophilic films were formed by the fast reaction of amine with anhydride while evaporating the solvent under vacuum. The resulting films exhibited dissipation of electrostatic charges over a wide range, from 109.4 to 104.1 Ω/sq surface resistivity. The low resistivity was attributed to the functionality of hydrophilic polyoxyethylene (POE), which was able to adsorb moisture and optionally to the added metal ion salts. Furthermore, the slightly crosslinked network prevented POE from having crystallinity and rendered the films solvent resistant, thermally stable, and suitable for applications as antistatic and polymeric electrolytes.