I. A. Volegova*2, M. A. Bruk*, E. N. Zhikharev**,
N. V. Kozlova*, and Yu. K. Godovsky*
* Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry,
ul. Vorontsovo pole 10, Moscow, 103064 Russia
** Physicotechnological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Nakhimovskii pr. 36/1, Moscow, 117218 Russia
Received May 14, 2002;
Revised Manuscript Received September 11, 2002
Abstract—A PTFE layer as a continuous spot ~10 mm in diameter, whose thickness was maximum in its cen-
tral part (~700 nm) and gradually decreased on passing to the periphery, was formed through the electron-beam
vapor deposition polymerization of tetrafluroethylene on a silicon substrate. The structure of the polymer layer
obtained was studied using scanning-force microscopy, electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, and other tech-
niques. The average degree of polymerization of the polymer produced did not exceed a few tens. It was
assumed that polymer chains are arranged primarily normal to the substrate surface, forming disc- and ribbon-
like mesomorphic entities with a minimal size of ~15 nm. This value corresponds to the length of an oligomeric
PTFE macromolecule with a degree of polymerization of ~30. The original mesomorphic structure of the layer
in question was metastable, as the formation of local crystalline regions takes place after several months storage
at room temperature.
Pleiades Publishing home page | journal home page | top
If you have any problems with this server, contact webmaster.