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Grafting of bifunctional fluorinated polyether molecules on metallic surfaces: application to the protection of electrical contacts
Author(s) -
Noël S.,
Lécaudé N.,
Alamarguy D.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.2260
Subject(s) - bifunctional , galvanic cell , metal , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , molecule , grafting , materials science , surface modification , solvent , chemical engineering , corrosion , nanotechnology , polymer chemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , metallurgy , polymer , catalysis , engineering
Protection of metallic surfaces against corrosion and wear is of high economical interest, particularly in the field of electrical contacts. New types of bifunctional fluorinated polyethers have been synthesised in order to elaborate innovative protective coatings. The films were elaborated by dipping the metallic substrates in solutions comprising the molecules and a perfluorinated solvent. Two linear perfluorinated polyethers (PFPE) were studied, having either highly or partially fluorinated thiol end groups. Galvanic gold samples were coated by dipping for a very short time in order to simulate an industrial process. The characterisation of the formed layers was performed by XPS. It was shown that despite the very short dipping time, the sulphur atoms of the thiol end groups were grafted to the gold surface. Different grafting kinetics were observed for the two types of molecules, which explains different behaviours were recorded during friction experiments. These molecules offer very promising properties in the field of surface modification and protection. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.