The surface oxidation of selected polymers using an atmospheric pressure air dielectric barrier discharge. Part I

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 221; no. 1; pp. 203 - 214
• Main Authors: Borcia, G., Anderson, C.A., Brown, N.M.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.01.2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Ageing; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD); Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Oxidation; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma applications; Polymer films; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Surface characterisation; Surface structure and topography; Surface treatment; Surface treatments; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); 52.50.Dg; Surface characterisation; Ageing; Polymer films; Oxidation; 81.65.-b; Surface treatment; 52.77.-j; Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD); Scanning electron microscopy; Atmospheric pressure; 52.50.Dg Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD); Surface treatments; Contact angle; Surface structure; Capacitive discharge; X-ray photoelectron spectra
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/S0169-4332(03)00879-1

In this paper, we report and discuss the results of the surface treatment, using an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), of selected polymer films which have no bonded oxygen in their intrinsic structures. Contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data are presented with respect to post-treatment characterisation and the dependence of these outcomes on the salient processing variables: energy dissipated, exposure duration and inter-electrode gap. Under the treatment conditions used, remarkably uniform treatment and markedly stable modified surface properties result from the test surfaces exposed to the discharge, even at transit speeds simulating those associated with continuous on-line processing. The DBD system thus described, provides chemically mild and mechanically non-destructive means of altering surface properties, targeting improved surface characteristics and potentially better application performance.