XPS and contact angle study of N ₂ and O ₂ plasma‐modified PTFE, PVDF and PVF surfaces

Abstract

Abstract Poly tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) polymer surfaces were exposed to a remote N 2 or O 2 r.f. plasma. The effect of the plasma power and treatment time on the surface energy and the surface composition were studied by static water contact angle (WCA) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In every case, a strong defluorination of the surface was observed. Except for PTFE treated by oxygen, all the surfaces became more hydrophilic after plasma treatment, owing to the grafting of polar nitrogen or oxygen functions. The kinetics of defluorination and grafting seems to be favoured for PVDF and PVF surfaces. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.