AVS 46th International Symposium
    Nanometer-scale Science and Technology Division Wednesday Sessions
       Session NS-WeM

Paper NS-WeM8
Plasma Polymerization as a Novel Means of Preparing Concentric-Tubular Composite Microstructures

Wednesday, October 27, 1999, 10:40 am, Room 612

Session: Nanopatterning
Presenter: E.R. Fisher, Colorado State University
Authors: E.R. Fisher, Colorado State University
M.L. Steen, Colorado State University
J.R.D. Peers, Colorado State University
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Template synthesis has been shown to be a general method for preparing micro- and nanostructured materials. This method entails synthesizing a desired material in the pores of microporous filtration membranes. Concentric-composite micro- and nanostructures have also been prepared by the template method. Such concentric-tubular structures consist of an outer tubule of one material surrounding inner tubules of different materials. Synthetic methodologies for preparing concentric-tubular micro- and nanostructures include electroless deposition of Au, electropolymerization of metals and semiconductors, carbonization of polymer precursors, chemical-vapor deposition and sol-gel synthesis. Thus, these methodologies are used to prepare composite micro- and nanostructures composed of metals, semiconductors, carbon, polymers and Li@super +@-intercalation materials. We propose an alternative synthetic methodology to preparing concentric-tubular micro- and nanostructures of this type. This method employs plasma polymerization to deposit polymeric conformal coatings on Au micro- and nanotubules synthesized by the template method. There are several experimental advantages to using plasma polymerization. Polymer-formation occurs from almost all volatile organic molecules, even those lacking vinyl and aromatic groups necessary for other polymerization schemes. The chemical composition of the deposited films can be controlled by adjusting plasma parameters, such as applied rf power, monomer flow rate, and pulsed vs. CW conditions. An extensive parameter study of several plasma systems has been examined. We have prepared several Au-insulating and Au-conducting polymer concentric-composite micro- and nanostructures by plasma polymerization. For example, polystyrene-coated Au microstructures are obtained from a pulsed benzene plasma. Results from scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical characterization will be discussed.