Surface Modification of Polypropylene (PP) by Argon Ions and UV Photons

Abstract

The surface modification of polypropylene (PP) by monoenergetic argon ions and UV photons is evaluated in a particle beam experiment. Thereby, the polymer pre‐treatment in a plasma process can be mimicked. The etching and chemical modification of the spin‐coated PP thin films is monitored in real‐time by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It is shown that the initial exposure to the plasma ion source causes a modification of the film surface, which slows down the initially high etch rate. The separately measured UV‐induced damage is more severe compared to the oxygen‐containing polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET).