Surface modification of polyester films by RF plasma

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 78; no. 5; pp. 1083 - 1091
• Main Authors: Gupta, B., Hilborn, J., Hollenstein, Ch, Plummer, C. J. G., Houriet, R., Xanthopoulos, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc 31.10.2000; Wiley
• Subjects: AFM; Applied sciences; ATR; Coating, metallization, dyeing; Exact sciences and technology; Machinery and processing; plasma; Plastics; polyester; Polymer industry, paints, wood; surface modification; Technology of polymers; XPS; Ethylene terephthalate polymer; Plasma; Wettability; Film; Microroughness; Surface properties; Processing time; Surface topography; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Quantitative surface analysis; Surface treatment
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-4628(20001031)78:5<1083::AID-APP170>3.0.CO;2-5

Plasma treatment of PET films was carried out under argon, followed by exposure to an oxygen atmosphere. The films underwent considerable changes in surface composition and morphology, as demonstrated by contact angle measurements, FTIR‐ATR, AFM, and XPS. It was found that the surface acquired oxygen containing polar functional groups such as —C=O, —OH, and —OOH, which increased in number as the plasma treatment time increased. During storage, the treated films underwent significant surface reorganization, and both the time and temperature contributed to the increase in the contact angle. As revealed by AFM measurements, these changes were accompanied by an increase in roughness in the form of ridges. The ridges were observed to grow in height with increasing treatment time, although their spacing showed little evolution. A correlation among the observations obtained from various techniques was established, giving a comprehensive picture of the structure and dynamics of plasma‐treated PET surfaces. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1083–1091, 2000