Electrodeposition of mixed adherent thin films of poly(ethyl acrylate) and polyacrylonitrile onto nickel

Abstract

Adherent thin polymer films have been prepared by sequential electro-deposition of ethyl acrylate (EA) and acrylonitrile (AN) onto nickel. Their composition has been studied by IR spectroscopy and time of flight - secondary ion mass spectrometry. Morphology and thickness have been analyzed by atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry, respectively, and compared to single component films of PEA and PAN. No microphase separation was detected in the mixed PEA/PAN films. These show a granular morphology comparable to that of PAN films. The grains contain the two constitutive polymers, as confirmed by the selective thermal degradation of PEA.