Reel-to-Reel Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) Plasma Treatment of Polypropylene Films

Abstract

Atmospheric pressure plasma treatment of the surface of a polypropylene film can significantly increase its surface energy and, thereby improve the printability of the film. A laboratory-scale dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system has therefore been developed, which simulates the electrode configuration and reel-to-reel web transport mechanism used in a typical industrial-scale system. By treating the polypropylene in a nitrogen discharge, we have shown that the water contact angle could be reduced by as much as 40 • compared to the untreated film, corresponding to an increase in surface energy of 14 mNm −1 . Ink pull-off tests showed that the DBD plasma treatment resulted in excellent adhesion of solvent-based inks to the polypropylene film.

High‐speed plasma treatment of polyethylene terephthalate films using ultrasound assisted dielectric barrier discharge

“…Atmospheric pressure low‐temperature plasma treatment is widely studied and applied for polymer surface modification 4,5 . Commonly used atmospheric pressure low‐temperature plasmas include a gliding arc, 6–8 cold plasma torch, 9,10 a corona discharge 11 and a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) 12–14 . The DBD is a simple and robust plasma that can be generated at atmospheric pressure.…”

“…In this respect, the DBD is particularly suitable for surface treatment of thin materials such as polymer films. Wide‐web industrial‐scale DBD systems for reel‐to‐reel operation are commercially available 14 . For industrial processes and productions, high‐speed efficient treatment is demanded with moderate costs.…”

“…4,5 Commonly used atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasmas include a gliding arc, [6][7][8] cold plasma torch, 9,10 a corona discharge 11 and a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). [12][13][14] The DBD is a simple and robust plasma that can be generated at atmospheric pressure. The DBD can be generated in a gap between electrodes covered with dielectrics.…”

“…Wide-web industrial-scale DBD systems for reel-to-reel operation are commercially available. 14 For industrial processes and productions, high-speed efficient treatment is demanded with moderate costs. In practice, it is employed by increasing the plasma power with a higher capacity power supply or integrating multiple plasma sources with a plurality of power supplies.…”

Influence of high power ultrasound on physical-chemical properties of polypropylene films aimed for food packaging: barrier and contact angle features

“…The treatment of polymer materials with different techniques (plasma jet, corona treatment, HPUS) can change the surface reactivity . Modification of the polypropylene surface is a very interesting process, because the adhesion and wettability to hydrophilic substances is very low . These treatments may have the effect of increasing the surface energy by introducing polar groups on the surface, thus improving the adhesion and wetting properties of the films .…”