On the Effect of Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment on the Properties of PET Film

Abstract

The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of non-thermal plasma treatment of an ultra-thin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film on changes in its physicochemical properties and biodegradability. Plasma treatment using a dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor was carried out in air at room temperature and atmospheric pressure twice for 5 and 15 min, respectively. It has been shown that pre-treatment of the PET surface with non-thermal atmospheric plasma leads to changes in the physicochemical properties of this polymer. After plasma modification, the films showed a more developed surface compared to the control samples, which may be related to the surface etching and oxidation processes. After a 5-min plasma exposure, PET films were characterized by the highest wettability, i.e., the contact angle decreased by more than twice compared to the untreated samples. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed the influence of plasma pretreatment on crystallinity content and the melt crystallization behavior of PET after soil degradation. The main novelty of the work is the fact that the combined action of two factors (i.e., physical and biological) led to a reduction in the content of the crystalline phase in the tested polymeric material.

Gas Sensor Based on Highly Effective Slot-Die Printed PEDOT:PSS@ZnO Hybrid Nanocomposite for Methanol Detection

“…This result may be related to the previous treatment with an atmospheric pressure plasma jet system with natural air carried out on the substrates for manufacturing the sensors, as presented in the experimental section. Although plasma treatment has been carried out on both substrates, the literature presents several studies showing that it has been of great importance for PET substrates, improving adhesion, wettability, and printing coating processes. , Furthermore, the roughness of the glass is greater than in PET, which may also have contributed to a lower result in the device’s performance.…”

“…Although plasma treatment has been carried out on both substrates, the literature presents several studies showing that it has been of great importance for PET substrates, improving adhesion, wettability, and printing coating processes. 39,40 Furthermore, the roughness of the glass is greater than in PET, which may also have contributed to a lower result in the device's performance.…”

Applicability of Electron-Beam and Hybrid Plasmas for Polyethylene Terephthalate Processing to Obtain Hydrophilic and Biocompatible Surfaces

“…The resolution was 2 cm −1 . The spectra were recorded in a wavenumber ( ν ) range of 1400–4000 cm −1 and interpreted in accordance with [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”