Preparation and characterization of silver particulate structure depositedon softened poly(4-vinylpyridine) substrates

Results of the investigations carried out on particulate silver films, depo sited at a rate of 0.4 nm s(-1) on poly(4-vinylpyridine) coated substrates held at temperatures in the range 440-490 K in a vacuum of 8 x 10(-6) Torr are reported in this paper. A morphological study by scanning electron micr oscopy and x-ray diffraction was further confirmed by optical absorption st udies. The shift in the plasmon resonance towards longer wavelength is ascr ibed to polymer-metal particle interactions. Electrical resistances immedia tely after deposition and at room temperature show a regular dependence on the thickness for the films in the temperature range studied. The films dep osited at lower substrate temperatures show a lower negative temperature co efficient of resistance when compared to films deposited at higher substrat e temperatures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies indicate the forma tion of a sub-surface particulate structure at higher substrate temperature s.