Plasma surface treatment of polystyrene in a low power low frequency argon glow discharge
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-15-2022
Abstract
A low power low frequency (50 Hz) argon plasma was used to treat the surface of polystyrene (PS) films. Plasma treatment for 3 min produced the best hydrophilic enhancement and it corresponded to doubling of the surface energy. At 45 Pa and flowrate of 44 sccm, a `saturation' region in terms of lowest water contact angle (WCA) attained (WCA = 21 degrees +/- 3 degrees), occurred at low discharge power of 0.15-0.25 W (applied power of 3-8 W). The induced hydrophilicity was attributed mainly to the oxygen-containing functional groups incorporated on the PS surface during the plasma treatment. Oxygen was speculated to be sourced from the dissociation of residual water vapour in the reactor chamber. Upon exposure to the laboratory environment, rapid hydrophobic recovery of the treated samples occurred but WCA stabilized after 72 h and remained at >30 degrees below its value at pristine condition.
Keywords
50 Hz glow discharge, Plasma treatment, Polystyrene, Hydrophilicity, Residual water vapour
Divisions
Science
Funders
Universiti Malaya [Grant No: PG062-2016A],RU Grant-Faculty Program [Grant No: GPF042B-2018]
Publication Title
Applied Surface Science
Volume
578
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
RADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS