SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SELF-METALLIZING GOLD-DOPED POLYIMIDE FILMS

State-of-the-art methods for producing reflective polymer films for sp ace applications involve multiple steps, and the integrity of the meta l-polymer interface is less than optimal. A more efficient; process wa s developed that consists of doping polyamic acid resins with gold add itives and curing them to form self-metallizing polyimide films. Sever al moderately reflective, flexible metallic gold films were produced t hat have good thermal stability and mechanical properties, a strong me tal-polymer interface, and in some cases, electrical conductivity. It was found that; the polymer system, gold additive, gold concentration, and heat treatment all affect the reflectivity, flexibility, and cond uctivity of the resulting polyimide films by affecting the degree of m etallization of the film surface. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.