Surface composition and surface energy of Teflon treated by metal plasma immersion ion implantation

• Published in: Surface science Vol. 573; no. 3; pp. 426 - 432
• Main Authors: Fu, Ricky K.Y., Mei, Y.F., Wan, G.J., Siu, G.G., Chu, Paul K., Huang, Y.X., Tian, X.B., Yang, S.Q., Chen, J.Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 20.12.2004; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Ion implantation; Physics; Polycrystalline surfaces; Surface energy; Wetting; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Ion implantation; Wetting; Polycrystalline surfaces; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Surface energy; RBS; Fluorine; Plasma assisted processing; Contact angle; Surface composition; Wettability; Transition elements; Surface properties; Chemical composition; Nickel; Polymers; X-ray photoelectron spectra
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2004.10.007

Plasma immersion ion implantation using a metal vacuum vapor arc (MEVVA) or cathodic arc source was used to modify the fluorine-based polymer, Teflon. Several transition metal ions such as Co, Ni, Cu were introduced into plasma and implanted into the Teflon surface. The chemical composition of the modified surface was determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The metals were found to be distributed several nanometers from the surface and XPS results showed the formation of metallic carbides and fluorides on the surface. Contact angle measurement results demonstrate the favorable change in the wettability from being hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Our study shows that the increase of the surface energy is due to the change of the surface interaction properties after metal plasma implantation.