Optical and Surface Characterization of Radio Frequency Plasma Polymerized 1-Isopropyl-4-Methyl-1,4-Cyclohexadiene Thin Films

Electronics

Jakaria Ahmad¹  Kateryna Bazaka¹ 

[1] Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia;

关键词: plasma polymerization;    thin film;    1-isopropyl-4-methyl-1;    4-cyclohexadiene;    γ-terpenine;    optical properties;    AFM;   

DOI  :  10.3390/electronics3020266

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Low pressure radio frequency plasma-assisted deposition of 1-isopropyl-4-methyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene thin films was investigated for different polymerization conditions. Transparent, environmentally stable and flexible, these organic films are promising candidates for organic photovoltaics (OPV) and flexible electronics applications, where they can be used as encapsulating coatings and insulating interlayers. The effect of deposition RF power on optical properties of the films was limited, with all films being optically transparent, with refractive indices in a range of 1.57–1.58 at 500 nm. The optical band gap (E_g) of ~3 eV fell into the insulating E_g region, decreasing for films fabricated at higher RF power. Independent of deposition conditions, the surfaces were smooth and defect-free, with uniformly distributed morphological features and average roughness between 0.30 nm (at 10 W) and 0.21 nm (at 75 W). Films fabricated at higher deposition power displayed enhanced resistance to delamination and wear, and improved hardness, from 0.40 GPa for 10 W to 0.58 GPa for 75 W at a load of 700 μN. From an application perspective, it is therefore possible to tune the mechanical and morphological properties of these films without compromising their optical transparency or insulating property.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.