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.