Structural features of poly(p-xylylene)−cadmium sulphide nanocomposite films

The structure and chemical composition of nanocomposite films based on poly(p-xylylene) with cadmium sulphide (CdS) as a filler were studied by X-ray diffraction and IR-spectroscopy. The films were synthesized by co-deposition of p-xylylene monomer and CdS vapors on quartz and silicon substrates, had a thickness of ~0.2 and ~1.5 µm and contained 5–90 vol. % of CdS. The effect of filler content and film thickness on polymer matrix and filler structure was demonstrated. Differences in the chemical compositions of films with thicknesses of ~0.2 and ~1.5 µm were revealed, caused by their partial oxidation upon contact with air after synthesis. The possible influence of hydroxyl groups on the formation of CdS crystalline structures in films was discussed. A correlation was established between structural transformations upon changes in the CdS content with the previously obtained dependences of dark conductivity and photoconductivity for films with a thickness of ~0.2 μm.