Nicholas Morosoff

Transition metal containing plasma polymers

The plasma polymerization of the C2 hydrocarbons in the presence of Fe(CO)5 vapor can lead to the formation of soluble cluster complexes (I) and/or high oxidation state iron both in the form of the oxide (II) and associated with the carboxylate or β‐diketonate ion (III). Analysis of the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) spectra obtained yields information regarding the nature of I on the one hand, and regarding the prevalence of II relative to III, on the other. The relative yield of I with respect to (II+III) can be controlled, at will, by variation of W/F. This permits control of the coating’s morphology (continuity) as shown by the electrodeposition of Prussian blue on smooth surfaces coated with plasma polymer containing I+II+III.

Preparation of tris(η5-cyclopentadienylcobaltmonocarbonyl) cluster complex by a plasma technique

Abstract The glow discharge reaction of cyclopentadienyldicarbonylcobalt(I) CpCo(CO) 2 was carried out in an inductively coupled cylindrical reactor at various flow rates and rf power levels. The deposition rate at low ratios of power to flow rate (W/F) is highest near the monomer inlet; a relatively uniform deposition rate distribution is observed at higher values of W/F. This suggests a plasma reaction of relatively rapid kinetics occurring at low W/F but not at higher W/F. The product of this reaction deposited at the monomer inlet was analyzed by infrared and 1 Hnmr spectroscopy and was found to include the cluster complex tris(η 5 -cyclopentadienylcobaltmonocarbonyl), [CpCo(CO)] 3 . The maximum yield of [CpCo(CO)] 3 was obtained at the lowest W/F attainable with our reactor.

Surface Modification by Plasma Polymerization

Plasma polymers are surface coatings formed in a plasma by the fragmentation of “monomer” molecules, the formation of reactive sites on surfaces (including newly formed plasma polymer) in contact with the plasma, and the reaction of monomer fragments with the surface and each other. Such films are formed in a glow-discharge, a plasma (electrically neutral ionized gas) formed (and sustained) by an electric field in a partial vacuum (less than 10 Torr pressure). As a consequence of the low pressure. electrons are characterized by electron temperatures of 10,000° C, average electron energies of 1–10 eV and non-equilibrium with gas molecules.1 The temperature of the latter is therefore close to ambient.