ESCA study of polymer surfaces treated by plasma

TLDR

Surfaces of various polymers were treated with argon and nitrogen plasma and analyzed by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Argon plasma generally introduces oxygen functionalities, whereas nitrogen plasma incorporates both nitrogen and oxygen; oxygen incorporation is typically less than with argon, and polymers already containing these groups exhibit markedly reduced additional incorporation, while polymers with only one of the elements incorporate the other to a comparable extent as polymers lacking either element.

Abstract

Abstract Surfaces of polymers [polyethylene, polystyrene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(oxymethylene), cellulose acetate, polyacrylonitrile, nylon 6, and polytetrafluoroethylene] treated with argon (inert) and nitrogen (reactive) plasma were examined by ESCA (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis). Argon plasma treatment generally introduces oxygen functionalities into the polymer surface. Nitrogen treatment generally incorporates nitrogen and oxygen functionalities into the treated surface. The extent of oxygen incorporation is typically less than that produced by argon plasma. When nitrogen and oxygen functional groups are already in a polymer structure, the extent of additional incorporation of these two elements as a result of plasma treatment is very much less than with other polymers. Polymers which contain only one of the elements tend to incorporate the other element to much the same degree as polymers without either element initially present.