Further insight in chromium growth on the surface of an organometallic polymer film

New features of the interface between chromium and Pd-DEBP, [–Pd(PBu3)2–CC–C6H4–C6H4–CC–]n, a π-conjugated organometallic polymer, were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Analysis of the C1s peak structure at increasing Cr coverage reveals that chromium reacts preferentially with the conjugated DEBP moiety to form carbide-like species; phosphide-like species are also produced, involving mainly the P–C bond. Investigations of the XPS signals intensity variations upon Cr coverage and AFM measurements indicate a cluster growth of chromium on the Pd-DEBP surface; the interdiffusion between the deposited metal and the polymer film and the surface localisation of the phosphide and carbide species were also evidenced.