High ordered structure of polyurea thin films prepared by vapor deposition polymerization

Abstract

Vapor deposition polymerization(VDP) have been utilized for producing polymeric thin films, such as polyimides, polyamides, and polyureas by co-evaporation of two types of bifunctional monomers onto the substrate surface. Through the use of poling treatment, polyureas acquire pyroelectric and piezoelectric activities comparable to those of PVDF. In this study, polyurea thin films were prepared by vapor deposition polymerization. The ordered structures and physical properties were investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy. The infrared spectra indicate that the dipoles of urea groups in the polymer were oriented normal to the surface of substrate. This results that strong interaction between the substrate interface and the urea groups results in the orientation of the urea dipoles during annealing. Moreover, the introduction of aliphatic moieties into the polymer main chain gives rise to easy thermal reorientation of the dipoles in comparison with aromatic moieties. In comparison with aromatic moieties which have rigid frame structure need poling treatment to dipoles reorientation. © 2010 The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.