Surface modification of several carbon-based materials: comparison between CF4 rf plasma and direct F2-gas fluorination routes

Due to their extreme reactivity, fluorine and fluorinated gases may be used to modify the surface properties of numerous materials. In the following, the surface fluorination of some carbon-based compounds (graphite, graphitised carbon fibres, carbon blacks and elastomers) using CF₄ rf plasma technique and direct F₂-gas fluorination is proposed. From XPS studies, the different types of CF bonding obtained in the materials after treatment have been correlated either to the physico-chemical characteristics of the pristine material or to the experimental parameters of the fluorination. Reaction mechanisms are proposed.