UPS and XPS study of the polymer/metal interface of poly(2‐methyl‐2‐propenenitrile) electropolymerized on an oxidized nickel surface cathode

Mechanisms of formation and structure of the interface between an oxidized nickel surface and poly(2‐methyl‐2‐propenenitrile) obtained by electropolymerization under cathodic polarization are studied by UPS and XPS spectroscopies. The results suggest that a direct interaction takes place between the monomer molecules and surface metallic sites freed by reduction of the metal oxides. The interface between the metal and the resulting polymer is characterized by the existence of chemical bonds of the carbon–nickel type.