High-resolution 19F MAS NMR spectroscopy of fluorocarbon films from pulsed PECVD of hexafluoropropylene oxide

Kenneth K.S. Lau, Karen K. Gleason

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Magic angle sample spinning with speeds of up to 25 kHz has been applied to obtain high-resolution solid-state 19F NMR spectra of fluorocarbon films deposited by pulsed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) from hexafluoropropylene oxide. Compared to XPS, the common characterization method for fluorocarbon thin-film analysis, 19F NMR is demonstrated to provide greater structural information which is important in unraveling the complexity of plasma films. Seven fluorocarbon resonances - three CF3 sequences, three CF2 sequences, and a CF resonance - were distinguished, based on differences in next nearest-neighbor bonding environment. Total CFx (x = 1-3) fractions, as quantified by NMR, agreed with independent XPS results. Line width variation of the assigned resonances resulted from isotropic shift dispersion, arising from connectivity permutation statistics and from the relative mobility of fluorocarbon moieties, which can be hindered by cross-links or branch junctions. With lower pulsed plasma deposition duty cycles, resulting films contained more linear CF2 chains. Cross-linking, branching, and irregular chain terminations, arising from plasma ion bombardment and excessive gas-phase fragmentation during film growth, are reduced. The thermal decomposition mechanism shifted from a loss of CF3 end groups to a loss of linear chain fragments as a result of changes in film structure with longer deposition pulse off-time. There is evidence to indicate thermal desorption of oligomers or radical-enhanced depolymerization for films deposited at lower duty cycles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5977-5984
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume102
Issue number31
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 30 1998
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'High-resolution 19F MAS NMR spectroscopy of fluorocarbon films from pulsed PECVD of hexafluoropropylene oxide'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this