Surface modification of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film using acrylic acid-corona treatment: Part II. Long term aging surface properties

In this work particular attention has been paid to the aging behavior of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film surfaces modified with the acrylic acid (AAc) corona discharge treatment previously reported. Three different corona energies of 15.3, 38.2 and 76.4 kJ/m(2) were studied. The surface properties of treated films during 90 days of aging were compared with those of normal air-corona treated films prepared with the same corona energies. The surface chemical compositions of aged films were analyzed by curve-fitting of the ATR-FTIR spectra. The wettabilities of all aged films were monitored by water contact angle and surface free energy measurements. The change of surface topology of air- and AAc-corona treated films was investigated at 1 day, 7 days and 90 days of aging using the AFM technique. In addition, the surface adhesions of aged films were determined with the T-peeling test. The results showed that the amount of polar functional groups on the surface of aged films had changed. However, the aged films of the AAc-corona treated films still showed greater wettability than did the air-corona treated films and could retain high surface hydrophilicity for more than 90 days of aging under ambient condition. The surface topology of both types of aged films changed after aging from a globular structure to a flatter surface, due to mobility of the deposited polymer layer. The AAc-corona treated films showed rougher surfaces due to the influence of poly(acrylic acid) deposition and they could retain the improved surface wettability despite the change in surface topography. The adhesion peel forces of aged films decreased slightly due to the topological changes. A mechanism for the change in surface topography and in chemical functionality of each type of aged film is proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.