IUVSTA 15th International Vacuum Congress (IVC-15), AVS 48th International Symposium (AVS-48), 11th International Conference on Solid Surfaces (ICSS-11)
    Surface Engineering Tuesday Sessions
       Session SE-TuM

Paper SE-TuM8
Metallization of PVC - Physical Vapor Deposition and Effect of Ar@super +@/X-ray Pre and Post Treatment

Tuesday, October 30, 2001, 10:40 am, Room 132

Session: Surface Engineering II: Cleaning, Modification, and Finishing
Presenter: S.R. Carlo, The Johns Hopkins University
Authors: S.R. Carlo, The Johns Hopkins University
C.C. Perry, The Johns Hopkins University
J. Torres, The Johns Hopkins University
D.H. Fairbrother, The Johns Hopkins University
Correspondent: Click to Email
Metallization of polymers is important commercially in both the microelectronic and conventional industries, having applications in the processing of thin film-transistors, compact discs and decorative overlayers. The nature of the metal/polymer interface is especially important with respect to adhesion of the polymer to the overlayer and in semiconductor electrode-polymer connections where diffusion of metal from the polymer into the dielectric can cause capacitance problems. Understanding the process of metallization will enable such problems to be addressed. In this study, we present results on the evolution of the metal-poly(vinylchloride) (metal/PVC) interface using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) following physical vapor deposition of Fe, Ti, Ni, Cu and Au. All of the metals reacted, forming a metal chloride with subsequent deposition of a metallic overlayer. The extent of reaction (as measured by the relative amount of metal chloride production) increased in the order Ti > Fe > Cu > Ni > Au. In all cases, the metal chloride was in the lowest oxidation state e.g. FeCl@sub 2@ and AuCl. The effect of sample pre and post-treatment was also investigated. Pre-treatment of PVC by Ar@super +@ ions increased the yield of FeCl@sub 2@ compared to unmodified PVC. There was negligible difference in the Cu/PVC system, while in the Au/PVC system, the yield of metal chloride was lower compared to unmodified PVC. Post-metallization X-ray treatment increased the metal chloride concentration for each metal/PVC system.