Determination of condensation coefficients of metals on polymer surfaces

We used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with transmission electron microscopy to characterize the nucleation and growth of noble metals deposited onto polymers and to determine the condensation coefficients of the metals. The surface concentration of the adatoms was determined using a mathematical correction of the XPS intensity to take into account the cluster formation of noble metals on polymer surfaces. Condensation coefficients for Cu and Ag depend strongly on the chemical composition of the polymer and on temperature and can vary by more than three orders of magnitude already at room temperature. The influence of the deposition parameters and the metal/polymer morphology on the condensation coefficient will be discussed.