The surface modification of polypropylene (PP) by monoenergetic argon ions and UV photons is evaluated in a particle beam experiment. Thereby, the polymer pre-treatment in a plasma process can be mimicked. The etching and chemical modification of the spin-coated PP thin films is monitored in real-time by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It is shown that the initial exposure to the plasma ion source causes a modification of the film surface, which slows down the initially high etch rate. The separately measured UV-induced damage is more severe compared to the oxygencontaining polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

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Authors are listed in an order by their first contribution part to this paper and its subsections. Some have contributed to more than one subsection. This white paper considers the future of plasma science and technology related to the manufacturing and modifications of plastics and textiles, summarizing existing efforts and the current state-of-art for major topics related to plasma processing techniques. It draws on the frontier of plasma technologies in order to see beyond and identify the grand challenges which we face in the following 5-10 years. To progress and move the frontier forward, the paper highlights the major enabling technologies

The polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been exposed to quantified beams of argon ions and oxygen atoms and molecules. The etch rate (ER) and the surface composition of PET thin films have been analyzed by real time in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). After the onset of the exposure of PET to the ion beam, the ER decreases rapidly by one order of magnitude irrespective of the ion energy. This slowing down of the ER is caused by cross‐linking of the polymer surface. The steady state etch yields are generally orders of magnitude higher than predicted by computer calculations. The addition of oxygen to the particle flux is only changing the surface composition. At low ion energies, chemical sputtering dominates causing very high sputter yields. In addition, no threshold ion energy is observed. magnified image

Synthesis and application of nanostructured molybdenum disulphide particles and complex composites have been studied for several decades. They offer many attractive properties which are linked to the transition character of the base element, i.e. molybdenum, and high chemical activity of sulphur, an element of the oxygen family. Significant progress in our understanding of the processes involved in nucleation, growth, and shaping of molybdenum disulphide nanoparticles was achieved, and the mechanisms underlying their biological properties and catalytic activity were investigated; however, many questions remain. In this topical review, a number of representative examples are used to illustrate recent progress in nucleation and growth of various molybdenum disulphide nanostructures with the aim to provide a snapshot of the spectrum of practically important fabrication methods, from simplest solution-based techniques to the most advanced chemical vapour deposition and plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition techniques. We then review the most promising applications of these nanostructures in medicine, focusing on anti-cancer therapy, drug delivery and medical imaging, with the key advantages and opportunities presented by molybdenum disulphide nanoparticles and composites over other similar materials and nano-architectures. The outlook section focuses on present challenges in the synthesis, e.g. sophisticated control over particle structure and chemical activity, as well as advanced biomedical applications of molybdenum disulphide nano-structures, and proposes some strategies to overcome these challenges and problems.