AVS 47th International Symposium
    Material Characterization Thursday Sessions
       Session MC-ThM

Paper MC-ThM7
Interactions of Cu(I) with the Surface of a Novel Poly(imidazole)

Thursday, October 5, 2000, 10:20 am, Room 207

Session: Polymer Characterization
Presenter: A.L. Marsh, University of Michigan
Authors: A.L. Marsh, University of Michigan
D.J. Burnett, University of Michigan
D.A. Fischer, National Institute of Standards and Technology
P.G. Rasmussen, University of Michigan
J.L. Gland, University of Michigan
Correspondent: Click to Email
The surface of a novel poly(imidazole), polyvinazene, was characterized using both X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) at both the C-K-edge and N-K-edge. Polyvinazene, which is based on the monomer 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole, is a novel polymer which has a high temperature stability and can be easily processed from solutions in concentrated aqueous ammonia into thin, yellow films. XPS was used to determine the chemical composition of the polyvinazene surface, while NEXAFS was used to determine the structure of the polymer surface before and after copper doping. Since NEXAFS probes unfilled molecular orbitals, it is capable of distinguishing between the specific bonds present in the polymer, so the bonding sites for Cu(I) can be determined. In addition, the orientation of the imidazole ring has been determined since resonance intensities for NEXAFS obey electric dipole selection rules. Based on NEXAFS experiments, Cu(I) interacts favorably with the amide N on the imidazole ring. Also, the imidazole ring is oriented close to the surface and away from the surface normal, which supports the claim that the polymer chains are linked together through hydrogen bonds. Determination of the bonding site of Cu(I) to the polymer and the structure of the polymer surface hopes to aid in design for materials such as sensors, catalysts, and metallized polymer films.