Selective grafting of amine groups on polyethylene by means of NH3−H2 RF glow discharges

Plasma treatments in Radio Frequency Glow Discharges fed with NH₃−H₂ mixtures have been performed for modifying polyethylene surfaces. Treatment kinetics and the role of species present in the glow have been investigated. Actinometric Optical Emission Spectroscopy has been utilized as a plasma diagnostic technique. Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis has been utilized for studying surface composition of treated substrates, which have been examined both astreated and after derivatization of amine-functionalities with 4-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde vapors. It has been found that experimental plasma parameters and plasma density of active species can be controlled to achieve selective grafting of-NH₂ among all other nitrogen-containing groups.     

Surface and Bulk Structure of Thin Spin Coated and Plasma-Polymerized Polystyrene Films

Polystyrene (PS) spin coated thin films were modified by O₂ and Ar plasma as well as by UV irradiation treatments. The modified PS samples were compared with plasma polymerized and commercial polystyrene. The effects of plasma (O₂ and Ar) and UV irradiation treatments on the surface and the bulk properties of the polymer layers were discussed. The surface properties were evaluated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Contact angle measurements and the bulk properties were investigated by FTIR and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. As a result only one second treatment time was sufficient to modify the surface. However, this study was also dedicated to understand the effect of plasma and plasma irradiation on the deposited layers of plasma polymers. The dielectric measurements showed that the plasma deposited films were not thermally stable and underwent an undesired post-plasma chemical oxidation.     

The dehydrogenation of cyclohexane on an AP-64 industrial platinum catalyst subjected to plasma chemical treatments

The influence of glow discharge plasma in oxygen and argon and high-frequency discharge plasma in hydrogen on the activity of the AP-64 (Pt/γ-Al₂O₃) catalyst in the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane was studied. The catalytic experiments were performed in a flow unit and under static conditions in a vacuum. Under flow conditions, catalyst treatment with plasmas in O₂ and Ar decreased the yield of benzene by ～50% but strengthened temperature hysteresis because of the formation of active carbon on the surface of the catalyst. Under static conditions, argon plasma and high-frequency discharge H₂ plasma multiply increased the rate of the reaction because of an increase in the number of active centers, whereas an oxygen plasma decreased the rate of the reaction by two times because of an increase in activation energy. The determination of the order of the reaction led us to suggest that the stage scheme of the reaction did not change after plasma chemical catalyst treatments.     

Mass spectrometric diagnosis of the surface nitriding mechanism in a d.c. glow discharge

Reactive constituents have been investigated in a molecular beam generated in the cathode surface glow area and surface boundary layer. Mixtures of nitrogen and hydrogen form NH_x(x=0–4) compounds, which are of relevance in heterogeneous, plasma vs. metal nitriding reactions. Ammonia decomposition leads to NH_x(x=2–4). Strong cataphoretic enrichment of hydrogen has been observed in the cathode glow area. Heterogeneous reactions of NH_x with iron lead to the formation of iron nitrides via intermediates such as FeNH_2–3. In a pulsed d.c. glow discharge, increased sputtering and decreased hydrogen enrichment have been observed.     

Structure and electrical properties of a-C∶H films deposited from CH4 decomposition in a low frequency discharge

a-C∶H films have been deposited from methane in a 20 KHz discharge. The Current Voltage characteristics of the plasma have been plotted as a function of the CH₄ pressure. It was shown that below 0.1 mbar the graphitic content in the films estimated from Raman Spectroscopy and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy is high enough to give electrical conductivity controlled by a percolation mechanism. It was also found that the a:c electrical responses of the deposited films are more sensitive to the structure than any other chemical analysis. The electrical analysis might be a good tool for structural investigations on a-C∶H films.     

Hydrogen Production from Methane Through Pulsed DC Plasma

A non-equilibrium warm plasma reactor has been constructed for methane reforming and hydrogen production. The discharge reactor was derived with 20 kV pulsed DC power supply with pulse duration of 4 µs, pulse frequency of 33 kHz. Electrical and optical characterizations of the reactor have been investigated. The electrical characteristics of the discharge revealed that the discharge was ignited by streamer to glow transition. The optical characteristics of the discharge revealed that the discharge was found to be strongly non-equilibrium with rotational temperature (T_rot) of 2873 K and vibrational temperature (T_vib) of 12,130 K. The Stark broadening of the emitted H_α line profile was used to deduce the electron density, which was found to be in the order of 10¹⁶ cm^?3. Methane conversion was strongly dependent upon the applied voltage and the methane flow rate. In general, under the specified operating condition, a methane conversion percentage of about 92% and a maximum hydrogen selectivity of 44.6% have been achieved. Specific energy consumption of methane conversion (SEC) and specific energy requirements for hydrogen formation (SER) of 5 eV/molecule has been achieved simultaneously with a maximum hydrogen production energy cost of about 3.8 µg/J. Finally, the decomposition of methane gas resulted in the deposition of an important byproduct namely graphene oxide.     

ESR Study of the Plasma Polymerizations of Trimethylsilane and Methane

Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) was used to study, at the molecular level, the plasma polymerization of trimethylsilane (TMS) and methane. Direct ESR analysis of the plasma coated Al substrate required the use of a novel ESR technique. TMS plasma deposit on Al showed a single broad resonance line near g = 2.003. The signal was stable in vacuum and decayed on exposure to air, with a significant fraction persisting for days. Results show that this signal arises from silicon dangling bonds. Identical TMS signals were observed from films prepared by the DC cathodic or the AF glow discharge method but their decay rates were different. In contrast, the deposition of methane produced two distinct types of carbon-based signals depending upon the method of deposition. TMS or CH₄ films deposited by the DC cathodic method showed slow signals decay and high refractive indices value. While the use of Al as the substrate showed plasma-coating radicals, only substrate radicals were observed when PE was used as the substrate. The nature of radicals formed depends not only on the deposition method used but also on the substrate type.     

Novel AC and DC Non-Thermal Plasma Sources for Cold Surface Treatment of Polymer Films and Fabrics at Atmospheric Pressure

Novel types of non-thermal plasma sources at atmospheric pressure based on multi-pin DC (direct current) diffusive glow discharge and AC (alternative current) streamer barrier corona have been elaborated and tested successfully for cold surface treatment of polymer films [polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),] and polyester fabric. Results on physical properties ofdischarges mentioned and output energy characteristics of new plasma sources as well as data on after-treatment changes in wettability of films and fabrics are presented. The main goal of this study was to find out the experimental conditions for gas discharge and surface processing to achieve a remarkable wettability change for a short treatment time.     

The Effect of pH on OH Radical Generation in Aqueous Solutions by Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge

Formation of hydroxyl radicals in aqueous solutions by atmospheric pressure DC glow discharge was investigated. The ferrocyanide was used as an OH scavenger at different pH. Experimental results indicated that pH effect on hydroxyl radical formation rate could be explained by particularities of [Fe(CN)₆]^4? and reactive species interaction in different media.     

Hydrogen/liquid vapor radio frequency glow discharge plasma oxidation/hydrolysis of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) surfaces

Modification of fluorine-containing polymers has recently received much attention due to new chemistries allowing for refunctionalization of these materials, especially their surfaces. In this article results are discussed which demonstrate various interesting modifications (including incorporations of ? OH and oxygen comprised functionality) to expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) surfaces. This is effected through the use of low damage, radio frequency glow discharge (RFGD) processes. The low damage conditions, which preserve the original pore structure/morphology of these RFGD treated materials, are supported by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) while the resulting atomic and molecular effects are investigated through other surface analytical methodology. All materials reported in this investigation have been subjected to intensive structural analyses utilizing Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR), and wettability profiles obtained through contact angle measurements using a large series of liquids having varying surface tensions and surface reactive functionality. Through this multitechnique analysis of both expanded PTFE and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) treated surfaces, a model is supported which illustrates surfaces possessing both high and low energy regions comprising both oxygen and fluorine functionality in close molecular proximity.     

Surface chemical composition and fibrinogen adsorption-retention of fluoropolymer films deposited from an RF glow discharge

Fluoropolymer films have been deposited in the glow and afterglow regions of radio frequency glow discharges fed with C₂F₆−H₂ mixtures. Structure, growth rate, composition, and wettability of the films have been investigated by means of atomic force microscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and water contact angle measurements.¹²⁵I labeled baboon fibrinogen in baboon plasma has been used to study the adsorption of the protein onto the films. Protein retention, i.e., the binding affinity of the adsorbed protein, has been examined by elution with a sodium dodecyl sulfate solution. Adsorption and retention of fibrinogen were correlated using multivariate statistical methods with the wettability, the degree of film fluorination, and the CF _x (1≤x≤3) group distribution of the coatings. This correlation identified the influence of each variable on the adsorption and retention of fibrinogen onto these substrates. These variables or surface properties can be easily balanced by properly tuning the experimental conditions of the glow discharge deposition process.     

The Role of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Atmosphere and Physics on Polypropylene Surface Treatment

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is the discharge involved in corona treatment, widely used in industry to increase the wettability or the adhesion of polymer films or fibers. Usually DBD's are filamentary discharges but recently a homogeneous glow DBD has been obtained. The aim of this paper is to compare polypropylene surface transformations realized with filamentary and glow DBD in different atmospheres (He, N₂, N₂ + O₂ mixtures) and to determine the relative influence of both the discharge regime and the gas nature, on the polypropylene surface transformations. From wettability and XPS results it is shown that the discharge regime can have a significant effect on the surface transformations, because it changes both the ratio of electrons to gas metastables, and the space distribution of the plasma active species. This last parameter is important at atmospheric pressure because the mean free paths are short (m). These two points explain why in He, polypropylene wettability increase is greater by a glow DBD than by a filamentary DBD. In N₂, no significant effect of the discharge regime is observed because electrons and metastables lead to the same active species throughout the gas bulk. The specificity of a DBD in N₂ atmosphere compared to an atmosphere containing oxygen is that it allows very extensive surface transformations and a greater increase of the polypropylene surface wettability. Indeed, even in low concentration and independently of the discharge regime, when O₂ is present in the plasma gas, it controls the surface chemistry and degradation occurs.     

Glow characterization in direct current plasma polymerization of trimethylsilane

Plasma polymerization of trimethylsilane (TMS) was carried out in a direct current (dc) glow discharge and was investigated by optical photography and plasma diagnostic techniques including optical emission spectroscopy and residual gas analysis. The nature of the glow formed in TMS discharge, which deposited plasma polymers, was significantly different from that of a simple gas such as Ar. In an Ar discharge, the dominant glow was the well known negative glow, which developed at a distinctive distance from the cathode, whereas the cathode surface remained in the dark space. In strong contrast to this situation, in TMS dc discharge the dominant or primary glow was the cathode glow, which appeared at the cathode surface. At a similar location where the Ar negative glow appeared, a very feeble glow as a secondary glow was also observed in TMS glow discharge. The deposition results and plasma diagnosis data evidently indicated that in TMS glow discharge, the cathode glow resulted from the low‐energy electron‐impact dissociation of TMS molecules that creates polymerizable species, but the negative glow was related to nonpolymerizable species such as hydrogen atoms and molecules. In this article, the cathode glow formed in glow discharges of organic compounds was designated as the dissociation glow according to its underlying plasma reactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1042–1052, 2004     

Solid state reactions in the platinum–mercury system

Thermogravimetry, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and other analytical techniques (Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis; Scanning Electron Microscopy; Mapping Surface; X-ray Diffraction; Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy and Cold Vapor Generation Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) have been used to study the reaction of mercury with platinum foils. The results suggest that, when heated, the electrodeposited Hg film reacts with Pt to form intermetallic compounds each having a different stability, indicated by at least three mass loss steps. Intermetallic compounds such as PtHg₄, PtHg and PtHg₂ were characterized by XRD. These intermetallic compounds were the main products formed on the surface of the samples after partial removal of bulk mercury via thermal desorption. The Pt(Hg) solid solution formation caused great surface instability, attributed to the atomic size factor between Hg and Pt, facilitating the acid solution’s attack to the surface.     

Some aspects of plasma polymerization of fluorine-containing organic compounds. II. Comparison of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene

Plasma polymerizations of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene are compared. In the plasma polymerization of ethylene and of tetrafluoroethylene, glow characteristics play an important role. Glow characteristic is dependent on a combined factor of W/F_m, where W is discharge power and F_m is monomer flow rate. At higher flow rates, higher wattages are required to maintain “full glow.” In the plasma polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene, simultaneous decomposition of the monomer competes with plasma polymerization. Above a certain value of W/F_m, decomposition becomes the predominant reaction, and the polymer deposition rate decreases with increasing discharge power. ESCA results indicate that the plasma polymer of tetrafluoroethylene that is formed in an incomplete glow region (low W/F_m) is a hybrid of polymers of plasma polymerization and of plasma-induced polymerization of the monomer. Polymers formed under conditions of high W/F_m to produce “full glow” are similar, regardless of the extent of decomposition of the monomer. They contain carbons with different numbers of F(CF₃, ? CF₂? , >CF? , >C<) and carbons bonded to other more electronegative substituents.     

Surface modification of low density polyethylene (LDPE) film by low pressure O2 plasma treatment

In this work, low pressure glow discharge O₂ plasma has been used to increase wettability in a LDPE film in order to improve adhesion properties and make it useful for technical applications. Surface energy values have been estimated using contact angle measurements for different exposure times and different test liquids. In addition, plasma-treated samples have been subjected to an aging process to determine the durability of the plasma treatment. Characterization of the surface changes due to the plasma treatment has been carried out by means of Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the presence of polar species such as carbonyl, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. In addition to this, atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis has been used to evaluate changes in surface morphology and roughness. Furthermore, and considering the semicrystalline nature of the LDPE film, a calorimetric study using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been carried out to determine changes in crystallinity and degradation temperatures induced by the plasma treatment. The results show that low pressure O₂ plasma improves wettability in LDPE films and no significant changes can be observed at longer exposure times. Nevertheless, we can observe that short exposure times to low pressure O₂ plasma promote the formation of some polar species on the exposed surface and longer exposure times cause slight abrasion on LDPE films as observed by the little increase in surface roughness.     

Carbon dioxide reforming of methane on a cobalt catalyst subjected to plasma–chemical treatment

The effect plasma–chemical treatments of 5 wt % Со/SiO₂ catalyst have on its activity in the carbonic acid conversion of methane in the interval of 700 to 900°C is studied. A plasma glow discharge in oxygen and argon was used along with high-frequency plasma in hydrogen for preliminary treatment of the catalyst. A multiple increase in СН₄ and СО₂ conversion and a 30–50 K drop in the temperature of the onset of the reaction are observed after plasma–chemical treatments. The strongest increase in activity is measured after the catalyst is treated with oxygen plasma. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to determine the change in the composition of the catalyst’s surface after it is treated with plasma, indicating that active forms of carbon atoms can be included in new active centers.     

Creation of Polymerizable Species in Plasma Polymerization

Plasma polymerization of trimethylsilane (TMS) was carried out and investigated in a direct current (dc) glow discharge. The formation of TMS plasma glow was carefully examined with optical photography as compared with an Ar dc glow discharge. It was found that there exists a significant difference in the nature of glow and how the glow is created in TMS glow discharge, which polymerizes or causes deposition, and that of monatomic gas such as Ar, which does not polymerize or deposit. In dc Ar discharge, the negative glow, which is the most luminous zone in the discharge, develops in a distinctive distance away from the cathode surface, and the cathode remains in the dark space. In a strong contrast to this situation, in TMS dc discharge, the primary glow that is termed as cathode-glow in this paper appears at cathode surface, while a much weaker negative glow as a secondary glow was observed at the similar location to where the Ar negative glow appears. The deposition results of plasma polymers and gas phase composition data of TMS in a closed reactor acquired by ellipsometry and residual gas analyzer (RGA) measurements clearly indicated that the cathode-glow in TMS glow discharge is mainly associated with chemically reactive species that would polymerize or form deposition, but the negative glow is related to species from simple gases that would not polymerize or deposit. Based on the glow location with respect to the cathode, it was deduced that the cathode-glow is due to photon emitting species created by molecular dissociation of the monomer that is caused by low energy electrons emanating from the cathode surface. The negative glow is due to the ionization and the formation of excited neutrals of fragmented atoms caused by high-energy electrons. Polymerizable species that would cause deposition of material (plasma polymers) are created mainly by the fragmentation of monomer molecules by low energy electrons, but not by electron-impact ionization of the monomer.     

A study of heterogeneous recombination of chlorine atoms on aluminum and copper surfaces in glow discharge plasma

The absolute values of the rate constants for heterogeneous recombination of chlorine atoms on the surface of aluminum and copper in the positive column of a glow discharge in Cl₂ have been determined using the pulse relaxation technique.     

Plasma polymerization of fluoromethanes

Methane and fluoromethanes (CH_nF_4−n, 1 ≤ n ≤ 3) were subjected to an rf glow discharge plasma. All the fluoromethanes (including methane) polymerized in the plasma and formed thin films. The deposition rate of the fluoromethanes depended on their monomer structure: CH₂F₂, of which the F/H ratio is unity, showed the greatest deposition rate. The elimination of H and F atoms as H—F was found to be a key factor for the polymerization of fluoromethanes. The chemical composition of the polymerized film, measured with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and glow discharge emission spectroscopy, was also found to be strongly dependent on monomer structure. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2043–2050, 1998