Abstract
In this study, we describe reducing the moisture vapor transmission through a commercial polymer bag material using a silicon-incorporated diamond-like carbon (Si-DLC) coating that was deposited using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The structure of the Si-DLC coating was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, selective area electron diffraction, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) testing was used to understand the moisture transmission barrier properties of Si-DLC-coated polymer bag material; the MVTR values decreased from 10.10 g/m2 24 h for the as-received polymer bag material to 6.31 g/m2 24 h for the Si-DLC-coated polymer bag material. Water stability tests were conducted to understand the resistance of the Si-DLC coatings toward moisture; the results confirmed the stability of Si-DLC coatings in contact with water up to 100 °C for 4 h. A peel-off adhesion test using scotch tape indicated that the good adhesion of the Si-DLC film to the substrate was preserved in contact with water up to 100 °C for 4 h.
Highlights
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is an amorphous variety of carbon made up of trigonally and tetrahedrally hybridized carbon atoms; nanoscale or microcrystalline graphitic regions are commonly noted within the amorphous matrix [1]
The plasma component in the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process facilitates the decomposition of the gaseous precursors and reduces the substrate temperature that is required for the coating process [11,12]
PECVD allows for the conformal deposition and step coverage of substrates; a uniformly-shaped plasma may allow for the deposition of coatings over large areas [12,14]
Summary
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is an amorphous variety of carbon made up of trigonally and tetrahedrally hybridized carbon atoms; nanoscale or microcrystalline graphitic regions are commonly noted within the amorphous matrix [1]. DLC has several positive attributes as a barrier coating: (a) it exhibits a high atomic density, (b) it can be deposited on a temperature-sensitive (e.g., polymer) surface, (c) it can be deposited at low cost using cost-effective precursor materials [3,4,5], and (d) DLC is a promising material that is being considered for biocompatible barrier applications alongside carbon nanostructures such as graphene and fullerenes [6]. Several studies have considered the use of DLC as a barrier coating [3,4,5]. In 2004, Abbas et al described the use of hydrogenated DLC coatings deposited by radio frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to improve the gas barrier properties of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate [4]. The lower density hydrogenated DLC coating was shown to impart better gas barrier activity, as evidenced by a lower water vapor transmission rate, than the higher density hydrogen-free DLC coating
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