Study of poly(1-butene) surface modified by air plasma treatment

Abstract

A low-temperature pulsed direct current discharge air plasma treatment has been used to improve the surface properties of poly(1-butene) films. The changes in the surface hydrophilicity and roughness of modified poly(l-butene) films were investigated by contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. These experiments revealed that the plasma treatment can greatly change the surface chemistry as well as morphology of poly(l-butene). The polar functional groups generated due to plasma treatment on the surface of poly(l-butene) sheets causes decrease in contact angle. However, the aging process of the plasma treated samples showed that the effect was not permanent. Scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope observations revealed that the surface topography was changed by air plasma etching, and the surface roughness increases.