An amorphous piezoelectric polyimide containing polar functional groups has been developed using a combination of experimental and molecular modeling for potential use in high temperature applications. This amorphous polyimide, (beta-CN)APB/ODPA, has exhibited good thermal stability and piezoelectric response at temperatures up to 150 degreesC. Density functional calculations predicted that a partially cured amic acid (open imide ring) possesses a dipole moment four times larger than the fully imidized closed ring. In situ poling and imidization of the partially cured (beta-CN)APB/ODPA was studied in an attempt to maximize the degree of dipolar orientation and the resultant piezoelectric response. A positive corona poling was used to minimize localized arcing during poling and to allow use of higher poling fields without dielectric breakdown. The dielectric relaxation strength, remanent polarization, and piezoelectric response were evaluated as a function of the poling profile. The partially cured, corona poled polymers exhibited higher dielectric relaxation strength (Deltaepsilon), remanent polarization (P-r) and piezoelectric strain coefficient (d(33)) than the fully cured, conventionally poled ones. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.