Abstract: A polyimide aerogel and method of making the aerogel is disclosed. The polymer backbone of the aerogel includes a cardo-diamine. The disclosed polyimide aerogel is less susceptible to temperature induced shrinkage than a polyimide aerogel that does not include a cardo-diamine.

Abstract: Polyimide-network battery-separator compositions are disclosed. The polyimide-network battery-separator compositions comprise a porous cross-linked polyimide network comprising a polyamic acid oligomer. The polyamic acid oligomer (i) comprises a repeating unit of a dianhydride and a diamine and terminal functional groups, (ii) has an average degree of polymerization of 10 to 70, (iii) has been cross-linked via a cross-linking agent, comprising three or more cross-linking groups, at a balanced stoichiometry of the cross-linking groups to the terminal functional groups, and (iv) has been chemically imidized to yield the porous cross-linked polyimide network. The polyimide-network battery-separator compositions also comprise an electrolyte composition comprising (i) a room temperature ionic liquid and (ii) a lithium ion. The electrolyte composition is interfused within the porous cross-linked polyimide network. Polyim ide-urea-network battery-separator compositions also are disclosed.