ULTRATHIN LAYERS OF LOW AND HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT IMIDES ON GOLD AND COPPER

A low molecular weight imide and two soluble, aromatic, rigid-rod poly imides were adsorbed from organic solutions on gold and copper. The re sulting layers were analyzed by contact angle measurements, ellipsomet ry, infrared spectroscopy at grazing incidence, X-ray photoelectron sp ectroscopy (XPS), and surface profilometry. The thickness of the layer s is below 25 angstrom, and the substrates are usually covered to a hi gh degree with the organic molecules. The adsorption caused significan t changes in infrared spectra and XPS. Coordination of the adsorbed mo lecules via carbonyl groups of the imide moiety to metal atoms is rare , in most cases electrostatic or van der Waals interactions are sugges ted to support the adsorption process.