The impact of DCSBD plasma discharge on polypropylene

Abstract

The diffuse coplanar surface barrier plasma discharge (DCSBD) still belongs to specific methods of modifying (activating) the surface of polymeric materials. The present work deals with surface treatment of polypropylene foils by plasma discharge, investigation and subsequent identification of changes caused by mentioned discharge. The modified surface was examined by measuring the wetting angle. Film surface morphology and topography was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Subsequently, it was examined whether the modification of polypropylene by DCSBD plasma discharge only affects the surface of the investigated material or also changes structural properties in studied material, based on the obtained data from DMA analysis.