Conductivity of layer and matrix polyaniline-silver-copper composites by plasma

This work presents a study on the formation of polymer-metal composites by means of plasma, combining silver and copper alloys with semiconducting polymer films. The objective is to improve the electric conductivity of polyanilines by forming layer and matrix composites. In this way, it is possible to increase the superficial and/or volumetric conductivity of the polymers. Electronic variables as the electronic density and energy along the reactor and their influence on the chemical composition, deposition rate, and the morphology of plasma polymer-metal composites are taken into consideration in the course of this study, as the shower of the most energetic particles in the plasma can produce multiple bonds between the metals and the polymers. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.