Low Pressure Radio Frequency Ammonia Plasma Surface Modification on Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Films and Fibers: Effect of the Polymer Forming Process
PLASMA CHEMISTRY AND PLASMA PROCESSING, vol.32, no.1, pp.17-33, 2012 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 32 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2012
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s11090-011-9330-3
- Journal Name: PLASMA CHEMISTRY AND PLASMA PROCESSING
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.17-33
- Keywords: Fragmentation, Plasma modification, Polyethylene terephtalate, Stability, Surface morphology, HUMAN ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS, POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE PET, DROPLET-SIZE DISTRIBUTION, GLOW-DISCHARGE PLASMA, VASCULAR GRAFTS, POLYESTER FILMS, TREATED PET, THIN-FILMS, RF-PLASMA, IN-VITRO
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: No
Abstract
We investigated the effect of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) forming process on radiofrequency ammonia plasma surface-treated PET flat films and fibres obtained by melt blowing. Ammonia plasma treatment allowed for the incorporation of amino functionalities on both the film and fibre surfaces, with higher values observed at very short treatment times. This plasma treatment also induced polymer chain scissions which were observed as the formation of hydrophilic nodules that coalesced together and were loosely bound to the underlying polymeric materials. These plasma-induced surface damages were notably more important on the melt-blown PET fibres. Consequently, maximisation of the surface amino groups with minimal polymer chain breaking was achieved using very short plasma treatment times (typically 1 s). We also demonstrated that the polymer forming process must be taken into account when plasma modifications are to be performed on PET, as it may already lead to polymer chain breakings subsequently added to those induced in the plasma environment.