Study of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Kinetics Modification Treated by Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) Plasma

Abstract

In this work, the plasma was used in the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) technique for modifying the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) surface. The treatments were performed via argon or oxygen, for 10 min, at a frequency of 820 Hz, voltage of 20 kV, 2 mm distance between electrodes, and atmospheric pressure. The efficiency of the plasma was determined through the triple Langmuir probe to check if it had enough energy to promote chemical changes on the material surface. Physicochemical changes were diagnosed through surface characterization techniques such as contact angle, attenuated total reflection to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray excited photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Plasma electronics temperature showed that it has enough energy to break or form chemical bonds on the material surface, impacting its wettability directly. The wettability test was performed before and after treatment through the sessile drop, using distilled water, glycerin, and dimethylformamide, to the profile of surface tensions by the Fowkes method, analyzing the contact angle variation. ATR-FTIR and XPS analyses showed that groups and bonds were altered or generated on the surface when compared with the untreated sample. The AFM showed a change in roughness, and this directly affected the increase of wettability.

Study of a Conical Plasma Jet with a Cloth-Covered Nozzle for Polymer Treatment

“…This is probably due to the nature of the secondary air DBD discharge formed between the sample and the sample holder. As shown in the literature [ 32 ], plasma treatments of polymers in the air usually result in the incorporation of oxygen and nitrogen atoms into the material surface [ 41 ].…”

“…This is probably due to the nature of the secondary air DBD discharge formed between the sample and the sample holder. As shown in the literature [32], plasma treatments of polymers in the air usually result in the incorporation of oxygen and nitrogen atoms into the material surface [41]. Example of an XPS spectra deconvolution, taken in the position of 19 mm on the C 1s peaks were fitted using four components: C-C/C-H @ BE 285.0 eV (calibr.…”

“…The polymer chosen in this work was polyethylene (PE), a versatile polymer, that finds numerous applications across various industries due to its desirable properties such as high chemical resistance, low electrical conductivity, lightweight nature, and cost-effectiveness [ 29 ]. As such a popular polymer, many studies are conducted to develop or improve its processing, including plasma treatments, both at low pressure and atmospheric pressure, using various types of devices such as, for example, DBD discharges and APPJs [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ].…”

Investigation of the Drag-Reduction Phenomenon on Plasma-Modified Surface

“…The plasma reactor configuration used two gas entrance, and in this work a DC plasma discharge was used, as illustrated by the schematic in Figure 1 [40][41][42]. The mixture from the flask, carrier gas plus vapor from the gas plasma, entered the reactor chamber in a controlled manner through a fine adjustment valve, two valves for pressure control, and adjustment of gas concentration in the reactor were used, as shown in Figure 1.…”

Visualization of Activated Area on Polymers for Evaluation of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets

“…The APP is frequently used to increase the SFE of PE, to allow printing, varnishing, coating, or gluing on its surface. Examples of studies focussing on this subject include the application of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) for the treatment of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) [ 9 ] or ultrahigh-modulus polyethylene (UHMPE) fibers [ 10 ].…”