Interaction of copper atoms with surface graft-copolymerized poly(tetrafluoroethylene) film: an in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study

Surface modifications of Ar plasma-pretreated poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films were carried out via UV-induced graft copolymerization with 1-vinyl imidazole (VIDz), acrylic acid (AAc) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The interaction of deposited copper atoms with surface graft-copolymerized PTFE film was studied in situ by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Functional groups, such as imidazole, carboxyl, and epoxide groups, on the graft chains were found to interact chemically with the deposited copper atoms. The interfacial interactions helped to account for the enhanced adhesion of copper to the graft-copolymerized PTFE surfaces.