Pthalimide on copper: A model system to address certain site-specific interactions at the polyimide–copper interface

Abstract

As a model molecule for a specific part of a polyimide, pthalimide has been studied adsorbed upon copper substrates at low temperatures using angle-dependent x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A stable adsorbate is found to exist in the approximate range −30 °C≤T≤−5 °C. The pthalimide molecule lies approximately flat upon the polycrystalline copper surface. Charge transfer from the copper to the adsorbate is observed. The present results are in contrast with those obtained when copper is vapor deposited upon a polyimide, as reported in the literature.