Study of plasma-polymerization deposition of C2H2/CO2/H2 onto ethylene-co-propylene rubber membranes

Ethylene-co-propylene rubber (ERP) membranes were modified by use of acetylene/carbon dioxide/hydrogen (C₂H₂/CO₂/H₂) plasma-polymerization deposition. The influence of flow rate of gases, glow discharge power and deposition time on the amount of deposition was investigated. Infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to study the structure and surface morphology of the deposited EPR membrane. The water contact angle and the permeation property were examined as well. The results showed that deposition comprises oxygen-containing groups including >C=O and –OH, the hydrophilicity of EPR membrane was therefore improved. It was also found that the permeation coefficient of plasma modified EPR membrane decreased with the increase of the amount of deposition.