Gold coating of polyethylene modified by argon plasma discharge

Abstract

High density polyethylene (PE) was modified by argon plasma discharge and then coated with 50 nm thick gold layer. Surface morphology of as-modified PE samples and samples coated with Au was studied using atomic force microscopy technique. The surface polarity was characterized by contact angles measured by standard goniometry. A nanoindenter was used to examine the sample's mechanical properties (hardness, elasticity modulus, scratch behavior). The Au layers were characterized using X-ray diffraction. The plasma modification of PE leads to a strong decrease of the water contact angle, which further depends on the time elapsed after the plasma treatment. Because of plasma-initiated ablation, a lamellar arrangement of PE polymeric chains becomes apparent on the plasma-treated samples. The roughness of as-modified PE decreases as a result of Au deposition. Plasma treatment increases PE microhardness but after subsequent Au deposition, both microhardness and elastic modulus decline.Scratch tests showed that while on Au-coated pristine PE samples mainly elastic deformation was observed, on plasma-treated and subsequently Au-coated samples plastic deformation and mechanical deterioration played a significant role. According to the XRD analysis, Au film deposited on the modified PE should be the most stable.

Deposition of gold nano-particles and nano-layers on polyethylene modified by plasma discharge and chemical treatment

“…7(A and B)). In several recent studies [2,3] no significant effects of plasma treatment on the adhesion of sputtered gold layer has been observed. Dramatic changes in the shape and the character of the scratch path are observed on the dithiol grafted PE (see Fig.…”

“…Mutual interaction between metal and polymers is generally very weak but it can be increased if the polymer surface is modified prior to metal deposition. Several modification techniques, physical, chemical or their combination, have been suggested for enhancing metal adhesion [2,3]. Gold nano-particles, due to their unique electrical, optical and photophysical properties, are expected to provide variety of potential applications as electronic and sensor materials [4][5][6][7].…”

Surface Modification of Biodegradable Poly(L‐Lactic Acid) by Argon Plasma: Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes in the Spotlight

“…Physico‐chemical and morphological analyses of the PLLA samples treated by plasma were followed by a variety of measurement techniques. All measurements were accomplished on aged samples (more than 20 d after the plasma treatment) …”

Interaction of polypropylene with sputtered and evaporated au nanolayers

“…Contact angle characterizing the surface wettability, was measured at 6 positions with distilled water at room temperature with Surface energy evaluation system. The aging studies of treated samples at laboratory conditions were performed on samples like dependence of contact angle on time after plasma modification .…”