Strongly attached ultrathin polymer layers on metal surfaces obtained by activation of Si–H bonds

Several poly siloxane.s and a poly silazane.were bound to aluminum, titanium, chromium, iron, and copper surfaces by activation of Si–H bonds with cis-wPtCl2 PhCH5CH2.2 x in toluene solution at room temperature. Under these conditions, the polymers do not adsorb in absence of the platinum compound. The ultrathin layers were studied with IR spectroscopy at grazing incidence reflection, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS., contact angle measurements and ellipsometry. The poly silazane.slowly decomposes, probably yielding poly siloxane.s as the main products. The layer thicknesses 2–8 nm, depending on the system. are in the range of polymer monolayers forming loops and tails. The wetting properties of the modified metal substrates are determined completely by the polymers, indicating that the metals are covered with polymer completely or at least to a high extent. Very hydrophobic layers advancing contact angles of water 110–1158.were observed with Si–H-terminated poly dimethylsiloxane.. These contact angles belong to the highest values observed to date for polymers. q1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.