Surface modification of polyethylene by diffuse barrier discharge plasma

0390833 - ÚMCH 2013 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Novák, I. - Števiar, M. - Popelka, A. - Chodák, I. - Mosnáček, J. - Špírková, Milena - Janigová, I. - Kleinová, A. - Sedliačik, J. - Šlouf, Miroslav
Surface modification of polyethylene by diffuse barrier discharge plasma.
Polymer Engineering and Science. Roč. 53, č. 3 (2013), s. 516-523. ISSN 0032-3888. E-ISSN 1548-2634
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR(CZ) IAAX08240901
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z40500505
Keywords : low-density polyethylene * plasma discharge * surface modification
Subject RIV: JI - Composite Materials
Impact factor: 1.441, year: 2013

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) modified by atmospheric dielectric surface barrier discharge plasma in oxygen was investigated to improve surface properties and adhesion of LDPE to more polar polymers. The process of plasma modification was investigated using several methods-surface energy measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The surface energy of LDPE increased significantly after activation by oxygen barrier plasma even at very short time of modification. The FTIR-ATR spectra manifested the presence of carbonyl functional groups on the surface of polymer pretreated by oxygen barrier plasma. It was shown by SEM, and AFM, that the topography of modified LDPE was significantly changed and the surface of modified polymer exhibited higher roughness in comparison with unmodified polymer. The surface energy of treated LDPE diminished in the course of ageing especially during the first 10 days after modification by barrier plasma. Hydrophilicity of the modified LDPE surface was stabilized by photochemical post-functionalization with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin- 4-yl-diazoacetate.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0219765