The investigation of potential corrosion resistant phosphorus containing and polymer films using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract

This dissertation will examine the fabrication of different phosphorus containing films and their use as corrosion preventative films and adhesion materials between polymers and metal and metal alloys. Orthophosphate films are used in several metals and metal alloys to prevent corrosion and promote adhesion between paints or polymers and metal substrates. One key component is to examine the use of different phosphorus containing acids that might lead to phosphorus containing films which would compliment the mainly orthophosphate films currently in use. The objectives of this study are to see if it is possible to fabricate different phosphorus containing films, use them to adhere polymers to metal and metal alloys, and test the phosphorus containing films’ and polymer films’ corrosion protection properties. The thermoplastic resin, Poly(ether ketone ketone), or PEKK was found to adhere well to different phosphorus containing films and protect the underlying layers from oxidation in 4-D water. The phosphorus containing films were created by electrochemical deposition in different 5 M phosphorus containing acids. The metal or metal alloy was abraded to remove the native oxide and treated in the electrochemical cell. The second, separate polymer films were created by dip coating the metal or metal alloy in a polymer solution. The film thickness in both cases was controlled to be less than 100Å to ensure that the underlying metal or metal alloy could be detected. The surface chemical analysis was collected using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, or XPS. Core level and valence band XPS were used to distinguish the differences in the chemistry at the surfaces. The valence band XPS spectra were interpreted using spectra generated by multiple scattered wave calculations and band structure calculations. In the cases were more than one film was present subtraction and addition spectrum were used to interpret the chemistry in the interface region of the films.