Formation of CuxS Layers on Polypropylene Sulfurized by Molten Sulfur

Abstract

The processes of formation of electrically conductive layers of copper sulfides Cu_xS by the sorption-diffusion method on polypropylene (PP) using molten sulfur as sulfurizing agent was investigated. The amount of sorbed sulfur increased with the increase of the duration of treatment. Copper sulfide layers were formed on the surface of polypropylene after the treatment of sulfurized polymer with Cu(II/I) salt solution. The amount of copper sulfide in layer increased with the increase of treatment duration in copper salt solution. XRD spectra of PP films treated for 3 min with molten sulfur and then with Cu(II/I) salt solution for the different time showed that the copper sulfide phases, mostly digenite, Cu_2-xS and a-chalcocite, Cu₂S were formed in the layers. Electromotive force measurement results confirmed the composition of formed Cu_xS layers on PP. The phase composition of layers also changed after the annealing. The value of electrical resistance of copper sulfide layers on PP varied from 20 W/cm² to 80 W/cm² and after annealing at 80 °C - in the interval of 10 W/cm² - 60 W/cm².

http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.17.4.776