Modification of tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoropropylvinyl ether copolymer films in direct-current discharge

Changes induced in the surface properties of films of a tetrafluoroethylene copolymer with perfluoropropylvinyl ether by direct-current discharge have been investigated, depending on the discharge parameters. It has been shown that the treatment of the films at the anode is more effective than at the cathode. A change in the contact properties of the modified films during their storage in air under ambient conditions and upon heating to 150°C has been examined. The chemical composition of the surface of the films after modification, storage, and heating has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fouriertransform IR spectroscopy. It has been found that dc discharge treatment significantly improves the adhesion properties of the films and barely affects their light transmission.