Surface modification by nonthermal plasma induced by using magnetic-field-assisted gliding arc discharge

The authors report on the introduction of a magnetic field to gliding arc discharge (GD) in order to enhance surface modification by nonthermal plasma at atmospheric-pressure. The GD is induced between two wire electrodes by using a pulse high-voltage power supply with peak-to-peak voltage of 5 kV. When a magnetic field of 0.25 T is applied, the GD enlarged and a 19-cm-long stretch of plasma is excited. The surface treatment of polyethylene terephthalate and polytetrafluoroethylene films is performed. The adhesion improved by up to similar to 30 times due to the enhanced chemical activity in the films. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4738766]