Influence of the Electronic Structure of the Metal at the Polymer/Metal Interface: A Tentative Interpretation on the Basis of Lewis Acid-Base Reactions

In the present paper, we examine the link between theoretical qualitative predictions made on the grounds of the Lewis acid-base concept and the actual interface built between polyamide-6,6 (PA-6,6) and copper, and PA-6,6 and platinum. By using a combination of very-surface-sensitive photoemission spectroscopies and model polymers, it becomes possible to obtain important information about the chemical nature of the polymer/metal interface. Our experiments show a complete dissociative chemisorption of the polymer on Pt, while PA-6,6 retains its chemical integrity on copper.