Tailoring the morphology of metal/polymer interfaces

Based on a good knowledge, of the basic processes occurring in the initial stages of metal/polymer interface formation the preparation conditions cart be selected to obtain a desired interfacial morphology. Very sharp or spre ad-out metal/polymer interfaces can thus bf formed, the cluster density on the surface can be adjusted, or metal clusters can be embedded into the pol ymer in a controlled manner. This may have a strong impact on the macroscop ic adhesion of metal films evaporated onto polymers.