The Effect of Film Thickness on the Structural Properties of Vacuum Evaporated Poly(3-methylthiophene) Thin Films

Sandip V Kamat,R K Puri,Vijaya Puri

doi:10.5402/2012/570363

Abstract

This paper reports on the structural properties of poly(3-methylthiophene) P3MeT thin films prepared by vacuum evaporation on the glass substrates. The structural and surface morphology, wettability, adhesion, and intrinsic stress of these thin films were studied for three different thicknesses. The variation of the film thickness affects the structure, surface, and mechanical properties of P3MeT thin films. Vapor chopping also strongly influences the surface morphology, surface roughness, and wettability of the thin films. It was found that there is a decrease in the intrinsic stress and (RMS) roughness, while the adhesion increases with increase in film thickness.

Highlights

Among all the π-conjugated conducting polymers, polythiophene family has emerged as one of the good candidates for the preparation of numerous electric and electronic devices, such as LED [1], photovoltaic and photoconductive devices [2], sensor applications [3] because of their good physical, chemical, and electronic properties; in addition, they show good environmental stability [4]
The present paper reports on the structural properties of P3MeT thin films prepared by vacuum evaporation; the effect of the film thickness and the vapor chopping
1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 Wavenumber (b) technique on the of P3MeT thin films surface roughness, contact angle, adhesion and intrinsic stress are being reported for the first time

Summary

Introduction

Among all the π-conjugated conducting polymers, polythiophene family has emerged as one of the good candidates for the preparation of numerous electric and electronic devices, such as LED [1], photovoltaic and photoconductive devices [2], sensor applications [3] because of their good physical, chemical, and electronic properties; in addition, they show good environmental stability [4]. The conductivity of these polymers can be modified from a conducting to an insulating state by means of proper doping. Technique on the of P3MeT thin films surface roughness, contact angle, adhesion and intrinsic stress are being reported for the first time

Experimental

Results and Discussion

Conclusions