Metallization of polythiophenes III. Interaction of vapor-deposited Cu and Ni with poly(3-octyloxy-methylthiophene) (P3O4MT)

Abstract We have investigated the interactions of vapor-deposited Cu and Ni with poly(3-octyloxy-4-methylthiophene) (P3O4MT). Charge transfer processes between the atoms were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The interactions of P3O4MT with Cu and Ni were found to modify the structure of the conjugated polymer: strong S-metal and O-metal bonds were formed. At higher coverages, the two metals also reacted with some C atoms, forming carbide. The extent of interaction of Cu with P3O4MT was less than that of Ni.