Adhesion Enhancement and Characterization of Plasma Polymerized 1,2-Dichloroethane on Polypropylene Surface

Polypropylene (PP) films were modified in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) plasma. Surface energy measurement and rate of deposition showed two-step surface modification. First, incorporation of chloride ions on PP surface followed by deposition of cross-linked layer. DCE plasma modified PP films were subsequently compared with earlier reported work on carbontetrachloride (CCl₄) and chloroform (CHCl₃) plasma modification. Modified films were characterized using ATR-FTIR technique by monitoring the relative changes in intensities of C–H stretch vibrations. The nature of deposition on PP film was characterized using FTIR technique and solubility test. Peel strength measurements of DCE, CCl₄, and CHCl₃ plasma modified films showed improvement in bonding strength. Durability of plasma modified PP film was studied by calculating surface energy and peel strength of samples aged for two months.