Magnetic polyimide hybrid thin films were synthesized from pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA), and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles via thermal imidiazation in nitrogen environments. The magnetic polyimide hybrid thin films were analyzed and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles and polymer hybrid thin films were assessed using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and the physical properties of hybrid thin films were tested. Results revealed that the magnetic polyimide hybrid thin films had superparamagnetic behavior and excellent mechanical properties. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012