Interaction between chromium and oxidized polyphenylquinoxaline surfaces

In this work, x-ray photoemission spectroscopy is performed on standard polyphenylquinoxaline surfaces treated by ultraviolet irradiation under oxygen atmosphere and by plasma. Spectra reveal the appearance of oxidized carbon species and of amine, NH+3 or NO groups, indicating that polymer bonds are broken during the treatments. Interaction of chromium with these surfaces is further reported. A solid-state reaction occurs, where the new species produced by the treatments are reduced, and chromium oxide, as well as nitrogen and carbon electron-rich species are formed.