Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
We have used X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy to study the chemical interactions at the interface formed during in situ deposition of Ti atoms on triazine, polyimide (PMDAODA), and polystyrene surfaces. For deposition on thin triazine films (∼ 100Å) we observe that titanium carbide is the dominant product, while oxides and nitrides are formed as well. Aging in air causes the carbide and nitride to convert to the more thermodynamically stable oxide. Titanium carbide is also the primary species at the Ti/polyimide and Ti/polystyrene interface. In all cases the reaction of Ti atoms with different sites in the polymer is nonselective.