PULSED RADIO-FREQUENCY PLASMA POLYMERIZATION OF ALLYL ALCOHOL - CONTROLLED DEPOSITION OF SURFACE HYDROXYL-GROUPS

The utility of employing a variable duty cycle pulsed plasma polymeriz ation technique to control film chemistry during plasma depositions is examined using allyl alcohol as monomer gas. Large scale progressive variations in film composition are observed with sequential changes in the plasma duty cycles employed, all other plasma variables being hel d constant. In particular, the -OH functionality of the monomer is inc reasingly retained in the plasma generated thin films as the radio fre quency duty cycle is lowered. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray pho toelectron spectroscopic analyses of the films obtained reveal that ex cellent film chemistry control is achieved during plasma polymerizatio n of this monomer. The surface density controllability of functional g roups, coupled with a gradient layering technique described herein to improve film adhesion to substrate surfaces, provides ideal opportunit ies for molecular tailoring of surfaces via subsequent derivatization reactions.