Abstract: This invention relates to improved lightweight, high temperature resistent, electrically conductive, palladium containing, polyimide films and methods of preparing same for use in aerodynamic and space application. A palladium (II) ion-containing polyamic acid solution is prepared by reacting an aromatic dianhydride with an equimolar quantity of a palladium II ion-containing salt or complex and the reactant product is cast as a thin film onto a surface and cured at approximately 300.degree. C. to produce a flexible electrically conductive cyclic palladium containing polyimide. The source of palladium ions is selected from the group of palladium II compounds consisting of LiPdCl.sub.4, Pd[S(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ].sub.2 Cl.sub.2,Na.sub.2 PdCl.sub.4, and PdCl.sub.2.