Characterization of Plasma-Polymerized Thiophene Thin Films and Nanoparticles Synthesized by a Double-Discharge Technique

Goktas H., Ince F. G.

PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, vol.6, no.2, pp.126-131, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 6 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/ppap.200800077
  • Journal Name: PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.126-131
  • Keywords: DC discharges, filamentary discharges, nanostructures, polymerization, thin films, SOLAR-CELLS, TRANSISTORS, MODEL
  • Ankara University Affiliated: No

Abstract

PTH nanoparticles and thin films were synthesized via a plasma polymerization technique using a double-discharge system. This system has a fast filamentary discharge formed from the superposition of an ordinary low-pressure dc glow discharge and a high-current pulsed one. The samples were characterized by SEM, TEM, XPS, UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. We found that superposing two discharges allows to control the morphology of the films. In the high-temperature region, smooth and uniform thin films were produced, whereas gas-phase polymerization resulted in films with grains of irregular shape. However, the films produced in the gas-phase region exhibited highly thiophenic structures and could be dispersed in DCM, giving nanoparticles of 30 to 50 nm diameter.