Modifying surface properties of polysulfone membrane with plasma from closed and opened plasma generators

Abstract

Plasma jet has been widely used in the process of surface modification. However, the operation process often operates in an opened plasma jet system. This research investigated surface modification of flat-sheet polysulfone membrane by using three different types of atmospheric pressure cold plasma jet system that comprised of plasma jet in an opened system, in a closed system and in a closed with pump out plasma gas system. This research aims to improve surface wettability of membrane surfaces. The samples were irradiated with argon plasma in such three systems. The properties of the treated membranes were verified by measuring Water Contact Angle (WCA), Surface Energy (SE) and surface roughness. The results show that plasma jet in the closed with pump out plasma gas system provided the best results due to its lowest water contact angle, the highest surface energy and the highest surface roughness.