Polymerization of Acrylic Acid on Expanded Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) Tube by APGD Plasma Treatment

Abstract

Abstract Summary: An APGD treatment was applied to modify expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) tubes with acrylic acid (AAc). The outer surfaces of ePTFE tubes were wrapped with PTFE films before APGD treatment. A hydrophilic modification of the inner surfaces after the treatment was observed, to a degree even higher than the one observed for the outer surfaces. These results indicate the formation of an insoluble polymerized AAc layer on the ePTFE surfaces. Comparison of FTIR‐ATR spectra measured on the untreated ePTFE's inner surface (a) and outer surface (b), and on the inner surface (c), and outer surface (d) of the AAc‐coated ePTFE's. magnified image Comparison of FTIR‐ATR spectra measured on the untreated ePTFE's inner surface (a) and outer surface (b), and on the inner surface (c), and outer surface (d) of the AAc‐coated ePTFE's.