The stability and degradation of PECVD fluoropolymer nanofilms

Bowen, James and Cheneler, David (2019) The stability and degradation of PECVD fluoropolymer nanofilms. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 160. pp. 203-209. ISSN 0141-3910

[thumbnail of Physical Degradation of CFxOy Films_Edited]
Preview
PDF (Physical Degradation of CFxOy Films_Edited)
Physical_Degradation_of_CFxOy_Films_Edited.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial.

Download (1MB)

Abstract

Fluoropolymer films are frequently used in microfabrication and for producing hydrophobic and low-k dielectric layers in various applications. As the reliability of functional coatings is becoming a more pressing issue in industry, it is necessary to determine the physical stability and degradation properties of this important class of films. To this end, a study has been undertaken to ascertain the aging characteristics of fluoropolymer films under various environmental conditions that such a film may experience during its use. In particular, fluorocarbon films formed by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) using octafluorocyclobutane, or c-C4F8, as a precursor gas have been exposed to abrasive wear, elevated temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, as well as oxygen plasma and SF6 plasma, the latter being commonly used in conjunction with these films in ion etching processes. The results show that sub-micron thick fluoropolymer films exhibit a significant amount of elastic recovery during nanoscratch tests, minimising the impact of wear. The films exhibit stability when exposed to 365 nm UV light in air, but not 254 nm light in air, which generated significant decreases in thickness. Exposure to temperatures up to 175 °C did not generate loss of material, whereas temperatures higher than 175 °C did. Etching rates upon exposure to oxygen and SF6 plasmas were also measured.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Polymer Degradation and Stability
Additional Information:
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Polymer Degradation and Stability. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Polymer Degradation and Stability, 160, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.12.030
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2500/2505
Subjects:
?? octafluorocyclobutaneplasma depositionatomic force microscopywearellipsometrymaterials chemistrypolymers and plasticsmechanics of materialscondensed matter physics ??
ID Code:
130418
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
01 Feb 2019 11:55
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
16 Dec 2023 01:28