Influence of the Filler Content on the Structure of Poly(p-xylylene)–Cadmium Sulfide Nanocomposites Obtained by Vapor Deposition Polymerization

• Published in: Nanobiotechnology Reports (Online) 2023-04, Vol.18 (2), p.216-225
• Main Authors: Ivanova, O. P., Krivandin, A. V., Piryazev, A. A., Zav’yalov, S. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amorphous structure; Cadmium sulfide; Chemical compounds; Chemistry and Materials Science; Codeposition; Crystal defects; Crystal structure; Diffraction patterns; Fillers; Functional and Structural Nanomaterials; Industrial and Production Engineering; Infrared spectroscopy; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Polymer films; Polymers; Preferred orientation; Processes; Silicon substrates; Vapor deposition; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 2635-1676; 1995-0780; 2635-1684; 1995-0799
• DOI: 10.1134/S2635167623700052

The structure of nanocomposite films based on poly( p -xylylene) (PPX) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) is investigated. The films are synthesized on silicon substrates by the vapor-phase codeposition of p ‑xylylene monomer and CdS; the films are ~1.5 µm thick and contain 5 to 90 vol % CdS. The absence of other chemical compounds (except for PPX and CdS) in the films is confirmed by infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the range of 4000–600 cm –1 . The X-ray diffraction data show that the structures of both the polymer matrix and the filler change with an increase in the CdS content in the films. The polymer matrix has an unoriented amorphous-crystal structure at a CdS content of 5 vol % and an X-ray amorphous structure at 10–70 vol % CdS (with a preferred orientation at 30–70 vol % CdS). At 80 and 90 vol % CdS, no diffraction pattern from PPX is observed. The presence of CdS in the films is not revealed by the X-ray diffraction method at its content of ≤50 vol %, which is indicative of the molecular dispersed or very small cluster form of CdS in these films. The films containing 60, 70, or 80 vol % CdS exhibit an unoriented X-ray amorphous CdS structure with a nanoparticle size of no more than ~3 nm (according to published data). At 90 vol % CdS, ~9-nm oriented CdS nanoparticles with an imperfect crystal structure are formed in the film.