Surface properties of glass plates activated by air, oxygen, nitrogen and argon plasma

Glass surface properties were investigated after air, nitrogen, oxygen and argon plasmas treatment. The samples were treated by low pressure plasma for 30 s with the gas flow 22 sccm. After modification kinetics of water spreading was measured. Surface topography was determined using optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that using all types of gases plasma treatment leads to decrease of the surface roughness. The kinetics of water spreading depends on gases type used for glass plates modification. Analyzing the photoelectron spectra the increase of oxygen amount on the surface was observed. For the increase of wettability and adhesive properties of plasma treated glass, the introduction of new polar functional groups on the surface has greater influence than changing the surface roughness.