Plasma Polymers Containing Sulfur and Their Co-Polymers With 1,7-Octadiene: Chemical and Structural Analysis.

In comparison with other chemistries, little has been reported on sulfur-containing plasma polymers; reasons include low volatility or high toxicity of monomers. Here, we report on plasma polymerization of dimethyl sulfoxide, by itself and its co-polymerization with 1,7-octadiene to generate S-containing plasma polymers. Results show dominance of SS, SH, and SC with small percentages of SO and SO₂. Upon storage in air there were no observable changes to the oxidation states of the S atoms in these plasma polymers, whereas the hydrocarbon component underwent oxidative changes. Methods were studied to oxidize the initial sulfur-containing surface groups, but approaches such as H₂O₂ treatment post-deposition and electrical biasing during deposition did not affect the oxidation states of the incorporated S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]