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The effects of hydrogen on the plasma polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene
Author(s) -
Salhi A.,
Soong D. S.,
Bell A. T.
Publication year - 1981
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.760211103
Subject(s) - tetrafluoroethylene , hydrogen , materials science , fluorocarbon , polymerization , polymer , monomer , ethylene , fluorine , radical , polymer chemistry , photochemistry , organic chemistry , chemistry , copolymer , catalysis , composite material , metallurgy
A study was made of the effects of hydrogen containing additives on the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene in a radiofrequency low pressure plasma. The addition of ethylene and molecular hydrogen were found, under certain circumstances, to significantly increase the rate of polymer deposition. This effect is ascribed to the release of hydrogen atoms from the additive, which enhance the formation of fluorocarbon‐free radicals and scavenges fluorine atoms. ESCA (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis) spectra of the deposited films show that upon addition of hydrogen to the monomer, the F/C ratio of the film decreases and the H/C ratio rises. Hydrogen addition also influences the extent of crosslinking—a decrease being observed at low discharge power and an increase being observed at high discharge power.