The degradation of poly-N-vinylimidazole films on copper substrates was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Infrared measurements on samples heated at 300 degrees C for 15 minutes revealed that the oxidation of the polymer was accelerated by the copper. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that a layer of copper oxide was formed on top of the oxidized film. Copper ions were also detected within the polymer layer.