Morphology and Contact Properties of Polytetrafluoroethylene-Like Films Deposited onto Track-Etched Membrane Surface in Vacuum

Abstract

The surface morphology and wettability of nanoscale polytetrafluoroethylene-like films deposited onto the surface of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) track-etched membrane by RF-magnetron and electron-beam sputtering of polytetrafluoroethylene in vacuum have been studied. It was shown that the morphology of films formed with the use of these coating techniques varies considerably. This is due to the size of the deposited polymer nanostructures. The nanostructures produced by the electron-beam sputtering of polytetrafluoroethylene are much bigger in size. Investigation of the surface properties of the composite membranes obtained in these processes showns that the deposition of the polytetrafluoroethylene-like film onto track-etched membrane leads to hydrophobization of its surface. The water contact angle for the composite membranes significantly increases.<br /><br />