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journal article·2026-01Open access

Designing Stable Graphitic Networks on Ultra‐Porous Polyimide Aerogels via Solvent‐Guided Structuring

Tingting Wu, Mengmeng Li, Mingxiang Gao, Christopher H. Dreimol, Ekaterina Filimonova, Qin Li, Yunhong Wang, Dimitrios Sapalidis, Michal Ganobjak, Yanfang Wei, Joshua Yip, Bruno F. B. Silva, Anja K. Skrivervik, Wim J. Malfait, Shanyu Zhao

Small· Volume 22· Issue 6
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Abstract

Abstract Lightweight, highly porous polyimide (PI) aerogels have emerged as promising candidates for advanced electronic applications due to their exceptional thermal stability, mechanical performance, structural integrity, and low dielectric loss. However, the controlled laser‐induced graphitization (LIG) of such ultra‐porous polymeric networks remains a critical challenge, as localized high temperatures often trigger polymer backbone degradation and framework collapse. Herein, a chemically engineered PI aerogel via a molecular design strategy that tailors solvent–polymer interactions during gelation to produce a hierarchically porous yet thermally robust network is reported. This substrate preserves its porosity and integrity during high‐intensity LIG, enabling the formation of a uniform graphene–carbon conductive phase embedded within the polyimide matrix. The resulting material achieves sheet resistivity as low as 6.5 Ωsq −1 , while retaining excellent dielectric properties (ɛ r = 1–2, tan δ <0.2) and thermal insulation (30–35 mW m − 1 K − 1 post‐300 °C treatment). This synergy between molecular design, thermal response, and electronic functionality enables integration into multifunctional devices, such as flexible pressure sensors, thermal management layers, and ultralight antennas, demonstrated by a reflection coefficient of −14 dB at 5.4 GHz and a peak gain of 3.9 dBi.
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Research context

PolymersNanomaterials

OpenAlex topics: Aerogels and thermal insulation · Synthesis and properties of polymers · Supercapacitor Materials and Fabrication

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Laboratory for Building Energy Materials and Components Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Überlandstrasse 129 Dübendorf 8600 Switzerland

Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals Energy and Environment (ISCE2) Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) 1 Pesek Road Jurong Island 627833 Singapore

Microwaves and Antennas Group Institute of Electrical and Micro Engineering École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne 1015 Switzerland

Wood Materials Science Institute for Building Materials ETH Zürich Zurich 8093 Switzerland

Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Überlandstrasse 129 Dübendorf 8600 Switzerland

IBIH Advanced Material Co., Ltd Lingang Economic And Technological Development Zone Cangzhou 061108 China

Center for X‐ray Analytics Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Lerchenfeldstrasse 5 St. Gallen 9014 Switzerland

Laboratory for Biointerfaces Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Lerchenfeldstrasse 5 St. Gallen 9014 Switzerland

Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Lerchenfeldstrasse 5 St. Gallen 9014 Switzerland

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