Metallization of polythiophenes IV. Interaction of vapor-deposited Cu and Ni with poly[3-(1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-tridecafluorononyl)thiophene] (P3TT)

This article deals with the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of the interactions occurring during the formation of the interface between two transition metals, Ni and Cu, and the substituted polythiophene, poly[3-(1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-tridecafluorononyl)thiophene] (P3TT). Ni was found to react to form both sulfide and fluoride. Cu was found to react mainly with S, forming only a negligible amount of fluoride. The results are consistent with the de-fluorination of the polymer substituent and the resultant formation of an unsaturated or crosslinked structure at the metal (Cu, Ni)/polymer interface.