Abstract
Transparent thin films of poly(4,4’-azodiphenyl) and poly(4,4’-azostilbene) were obtained by vacuum thermolysis or photochemical decomposition of the corresponding aromatic diazides. Taking into account the working conditions, the thickness of transparent films was about of 0.1 – 0.5 mm. Surface morphology was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The influence of different factors on the surface morphology in azoaromatic polymer films such as evaporation rate, diazide quantity, support temperature, distance between support and oven has been shown. Atomic force images have revealed several types of morphology: high roughness films with prominent hills and valleys, films with satisfactory roughness but having single hills, and films with smooth surface (average roughness about 1 nm). Keywords: azoaromatic polymers, atomic force microscopy, surface morphology