Plasma amination of low-density polyethylene by DBD afterglows at atmospheric pressure

Surfaces of LDPE can be functionalized with primary amino groups using the afterglows from dielectric barrier discharges in N-2, N-2 + H-2, and N-2 + NH3 mixtures at atmospheric pressure. Quantitative analysis by a recently developed ATR FT-IR spectroscopic method allows calculation of the number of NH2 groups generated per unit area Treatment in N-2 + H-2 afteralows was found to be most efficient in terms of area densities of primary amines achieved (more than 15 nm(-2)), but appreciable quantities of -NH2, up to about 3 nm(-2), are also obtained in pure N-2. Possible mechanisms of the amination reaction and the roles of gas additives are discussed.