Polymer surface reactivity enhancement by ultraviolet ArF laser irradiation: An x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethyleneterepthalate ultraviolet treated surfaces

Abstract

We have investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) the surface of two polymers [polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethyleneterepthalate (PTFE) and (PET)] which were previously submitted to pulsed UV radiation delivered from an excimer laser (ArF: λ=193 nm). Treatments realized under different gaseous atmospheres allow us to point out mechanisms leading to several chemical transformations at the polymer surface. In the case of PTFE, the high-fluence irradiations produce defluorination with surface oxidation. The latter is mainly due to air moisture. The deposition of some ablated fragments on the surface has also been observed. For PET, the major modifications are produced below the ablation threshold. They are characterized by severe deoxidation due to the loss of CO and CO2. The irradiations under oxygen and nitrogen atmospheres show the possibility of grafting new functionalities at the polymer surface.

Enhanced sensing performance of the amperometric gas sensor by laser-patterning of the polymer membrane electrode

“…6. In this work, surface oxidation of polymer film due to the moisture in air can be avoided since the laser irradiation was performed under nitrogen flow [17]. It has been reported that under highenergy UV-laser irradiation, the decomposition fragments of PTFE consisted almost entirely of monomer (C 2 F 4 ) [17][18][19].…”

“…It is well known that the molecular structure of fluoropolymer contains only high energy → * and n → * transitions that result in poor UV absorption. The PTFE with highly stable molecular structure is a weak absorber with an absorption coefficient of 158 cm −1 at 248 nm [17][18][19]. Although the utilization of the nitrogen flow over the sample during laser irradiation trends to increase the threshold, it is necessary to avoid the redeposition of the ablated material and to obtain clean ablated walls and bottom morphologies.…”

“…In this work, surface oxidation of polymer film due to the moisture in air can be avoided since the laser irradiation was performed under nitrogen flow [17]. It has been reported that under highenergy UV-laser irradiation, the decomposition fragments of PTFE consisted almost entirely of monomer (C 2 F 4 ) [17][18][19]. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the adhesion of the metal layer on the polymer film can be greatly improved due to the formation of the porous surface [20] Thus, the enhanced long-term stability of the sensor is expected by pretreatment of PTFE surface with UV-laser radiation before catalyst layer was coated.…”

Liquid phase formation of alkyl- and perfluoro-phosphonic acid derived monolayers on magnesium alloy AZ31 and their chemical properties

“…Due to the preparation of PFEP molecule, three new peak components at 290.2 eV, 291.3 eV, and 294.2 eV are clearly observed, as shown in spectrum 7a. The three peaks originate from the -CF 2 -CH 2 -, -CF 2 -CF 2 -, and CF 3 -CF 2 -groups, respectively [50,51]. The CF 3 and CF 2 components could be clearly resolved from the other components because of fluorine's great electronegativity.…”

An innovative method to functionalize textiles for the remediation of polluted media

“…Indeed, the UV excimer laser is one of the most precise industrial processing tools and has many applications like eye surgery and semiconductor lithography [8]. Moreover, modifications induced on PET surfaces by UV lasers have been extensively studied [9] and major changes such as: surface amorphization [10]; roughness evolution [11][12][13]; chemical modifications [14][15][16]; and increased wettability [17] are well-known consequences of the laser irradiation. Studies show that Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSSs) are formed on fibers using a 248 nm excimer laser with a fluence below the ablation threshold of the material [13].…”