METAL-OXYGEN-CARBON INTERACTION IN THE POLY(P-PHENYLENE VINYLENE)-ALUMINUM SYSTEM - A STUDY BY ANALYTICAL TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY AND X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON-SPECTROSCOPY

We have studied the interface formed on a poly(p-phenylene vinylene) ( PPV) thin film by deposition of a thermally evaporated aluminum layer. The cross-section of Al-coated PPV films was analysed by analytical t ransmission electron microscopy and complemented by X-ray photoelectro n spectroscopy. The subsequent presence of oxygen was detected at the polymer-metal boundary accompanied by modified aluminum and carbon bon ding states indicating chemical interaction between the metal and the polymer has occurred. The PPV structure was also affected by the evapo ration process by the formation of a sublayer in the polymer bulk bene ath the interface which reveals the presence of carbonyl groups and po ssible reticulation of carbon. It was suggested that the interaction b etween aluminum and carbon was initiated from the binding of the metal atoms to the oxygen of the observed sublayer.