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Physio‐Chemical Modifications of Polystyrene and Poly(propylene) Surfaces by Electron Beam‐Generated Plasmas Produced in Argon
Author(s) -
Lock Evgeniya H.,
Walton Scott G.,
Fernsler Richard F.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
plasma processes and polymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1612-8869
pISSN - 1612-8850
DOI - 10.1002/ppap.200800122
Subject(s) - polystyrene , polymer , surface modification , materials science , argon , plasma , surface energy , surface roughness , etching (microfabrication) , plasma etching , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , physics , layer (electronics) , quantum mechanics , engineering
Abstract Pulsed, electron beam generated plasmas produced in argon were used to modify the surfaces of polystyrene and poly(propylene). The influence of plasma parameters including duty factor, plasma period and exposure time on the surface chemistry, energy and morphology was investigated. In these plasmas, the energy of ions striking the surfaces was modest (≤ 5 eV) and comparable to the bond strength of most polymers. Despite the lack of reactive species in the background, a substantial modification in the chemical composition of the polymer surface occurred, leading to a significant increase in surface energy. These changes occurred without a significant increase in surface roughness, or loss of material due to etching. Indeed, the surface morphology of polystyrene was practically unchanged, whereas the surface of poly(propylene) became smoother with plasma exposure. Based on theoretical estimations, the ions play major role in the modification of polymers.