Surface modification of polyethylene by diffuse barrier discharge plasma

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) modified by atmospheric dielectric surface barrier discharge plasma in oxygen was investigated to improve surface properties and adhesion of LDPE to more polar polymers. The process of plasma modification was investigated using several methodssurface energy measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The surface energy of LDPE increased significantly after activation by oxygen barrier plasma even at very short time of modification. The FTIR-ATR spectra manifested the presence of carbonyl functional groups on the surface of polymer pre-treated by oxygen barrier plasma. It was shown by SEM, and AFM, that the topography of modified LDPE was significantly changed and the surface of modified polymer exhibited higher roughness in comparison with unmodified polymer. The surface energy of treated LDPE diminished in the course of ageing especially during the first 10 days after modification by barrier plasma. Hydrophilicity of the modified LDPE surface was stabilized by photochemical post-functionalization with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl-diazoacetate. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. (c) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers