A new photoimaging system from poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and 3,3
'-dimethoxy-diphenyl-4,4'-bisdiazonium salt (DDBS) in sodium dodecyl sulfat
e (SDS) aqueous solution has been developed. The water soluble components,
that can be coated, become insoluble under UV irradiation. The dramatic cha
nge in the solubility of the coated film under exposure to UV light origina
tes from the decomposition of the diazonium group of DDBS. As a result, the
ionic bond of PSS-DDBS is converted to a covalent bond. It was confirmed t
hat the SDS plays an important role in enhancing the thermal stability of P
SS-DDBS both in solution and in coated film. A proposal to explain the incr
easing thermal stability of the PSS-DDBS in the presence of SDS has been pr
oposed.