In-situ ATR-FTIR and EIS studies of hidden aluminium / polymer interfaces with an intermediate silane film upon exposure to electrolyte

摘要

Alterations at the interface between aluminium coated with a silane film and a polymer coating were analysed in situ during exposure to an electrolyte solution using ATR-FTIR and EIS. By using substrates with thin vacuum evaporated aluminium films, the ATR-FTIR technique in the Kretschmann configuration allows interfacial analysis from the metal surface and less than 1 urn into the bulk polymer. Additional characterisation of the silane film applied to the aluminium was performed by ATR-FTIR and IRRAS-FTIR, and water induced alterations where followed upon exposure. The studies provided information from the hidden interface, such as the transport of water through the polymer film, corrosion processes, and water induced alterations of the polymer and silane films.