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Surface modification of polyethylene by diffuse barrier discharge plasma
Author(s) -
Novák Igor,
Števiar Marian,
Popelka Anton,
Chodák Ivan,
Mosnáček Jaroslav,
Špírková Milena,
Janigová Ivica,
Kleinová Angela,
Sedliačik Ján,
Šlouf Miroslav
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.23280
Subject(s) - low density polyethylene , surface modification , materials science , dielectric barrier discharge , polymer , polyethylene , surface energy , attenuated total reflection , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , scanning electron microscope , surface roughness , chemical engineering , adhesion , contact angle , polymer chemistry , composite material , analytical chemistry (journal) , dielectric , chemistry , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , engineering
Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) modified by atmospheric dielectric surface barrier discharge plasma in oxygen was investigated to improve surface properties and adhesion of LDPE to more polar polymers. The process of plasma modification was investigated using several methods—surface energy measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR‐ATR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The surface energy of LDPE increased significantly after activation by oxygen barrier plasma even at very short time of modification. The FTIR‐ATR spectra manifested the presence of carbonyl functional groups on the surface of polymer pre‐treated by oxygen barrier plasma. It was shown by SEM, and AFM, that the topography of modified LDPE was significantly changed and the surface of modified polymer exhibited higher roughness in comparison with unmodified polymer. The surface energy of treated LDPE diminished in the course of ageing especially during the first 10 days after modification by barrier plasma. Hydrophilicity of the modified LDPE surface was stabilized by photochemical post‐functionalization with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐4‐yl‐diazoacetate. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers