Surface Modification of Polymer Films by Pulsed Oxygen Plasma

Abstract

The surfaces of three kinds of polymer were treated using pulsed oxygen plasma: poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), and linear-low-density polyethylene (L-LDPE). Also using pulsed oxygen plasma, oxygen functional groups were introduced on polymer surfaces. The effects of oxygen functional group introduction were investigated to elucidate whether any differences exist in the manner of introduction of oxygen functional groups on the polymer surface, arising from differences in polymer structures. The introduction of oxygen functional groups formed hydrophilic polymer surfaces. Fewer oxygen functional groups were introduced on PEEK and LCP surfaces by pulsed plasma treatment than by continuous oxygen plasma. On the other hand, many oxygen functional groups were introduced on L-LDPE surfaces than by continuous oxygen plasma. Reasons for different attachment of oxygen functional groups by pulsed oxygen plasma processing on polymer surfaces were discussed.

Physico-chemical characteristics of high performance polymer modified by low and atmospheric pressure plasma

“…Therefore, in order to increase adhesion characteris tics of polymer, surface modification of polymer is often carried out by low pressure plasma that essen tially transforms hydrophobic surface to hydrophilic surface [5]. Structure of PEEK clearly reveals pres ence of an oxygen atom between two phenyl groups and therefore, chain scission occurs readily due to irradiation of electrons or ions [6][7][8]. Inagaki et al [8] studied the effect of remote oxygen plasma on PEEK and observed that PEEK is susceptible to plasma actions, and as a result, the degradation of PEEK and the introduction of oxygen functionality occur simul taneously on the surfaces of PEEK films.…”

Plasma Surface Modification of Poly(aryl ether ether ketone) and Surface Metallization using Copper Metal

“…Plasma acts only on polymer surfaces and does not change their internal structure. For this reason, plasma treatment is a suitable surface treatment method for the metallization of polymers using copper [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

Effects of low-temperature surface-wave plasma treatment with various gases on surface modification of chitosan

“…In the case of dry plasma processing, the partially ionized gases, including charged particles, electrons, and reactive neutral particles with high energy states will be more effective to modify the surface at low temperature in short treatment time without using solvents or generating chemical waste than wet chemical treatments. So far, many types of polymers have been successfully equipped with functional groups by various lowpressure plasma processes [17][18][19][20][21][22]. The type of functionalization can be varied by selection of plasma gas and operating parameters.…”