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 can be selected to obtain a desired interfacial morphology. Very sharp or spread-out metal/polymer interfaces can thus be formed, the cluster density on the surface can be adjusted, or metal clusters can be embedded into the polymer in a controlled manner. This may have a strong impact on the macroscopic adhesion of metal films evaporated onto polymers.