Determination of condensation coefficients of metals on polymer surfaces

We used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with transmis sion electron microscopy to characterize the nucleation and growth of noble metals deposited onto polymers and to determine the condensation coefficie nts of the metals. The surface concentration of the adatoms was determined using a mathematical correction of the XPS intensity to take into account t he cluster formation of noble metals on polymer surfaces. Condensation coef ficients for Cu and Ag depend strongly on the chemical composition of the p olymer and on temperature and can vary by more than three orders of magnitu de already at room temperature. The influence of the deposition parameters and the metal/polymer morphology on the condensation coefficient will be di scussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.