Ion Energy Fluence Research Articles

Dependence of nanomechanical modification of polymers on plasma-induced cross-linking

The nanomechanical properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) modified by inductively coupled, radio-frequency Ar plasma were investigated by surface force microscopy. The polymer surface was modified under plasma conditions of different ion energy fluences and radiation intensities obtained by varying the sample distance from the plasma power source. Nanoindentation results of the surface stiffness versus maximum penetration depth did not reveal discernible differences between untreated and plasma-treated LDPE, presumably due to the small thickness of the modified surface layer that resulted in a substrate effect. On the contrary, nanoscratching experiments demonstrated a significant increase in the surface shear resistance of plasma-modified LDPE due to chain cross-linking. These experiments revealed an enhancement of cross-linking with increasing ion energy fluence and radiation intensity, and a tip size effect on the friction force and dominant friction mechanisms (adhesion, plowing, and microcutting). In addition, LDPE samples with a LiF crystal shield were exposed to identical plasma conditions to determine the role of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the cross-linking process. The cross-linked layer of plasma-treated LDPE exhibited much higher shear strength than that of VUV/UV-treated LDPE. Plasma-induced surface modification of the nanomechanical properties of LDPE is interpreted in the context of molecular models of the untreated and cross-linked polymer surfaces derived from experimental findings.

Effect of ion energy fluence on the topography and wettability of low-density polyethylene exposed to inductively coupled argon plasma

The topography and wettability of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were modified by an inductively coupled Ar plasma. The extent and mechanisms of surface modification were correlated with the ion energy fluence, determined from the ion density measured with a Langmuir probe. The ion energy fluence was varied in the range of (0.3–6.3) × 105 J m−2 by changing the sample distance from the plasma power source. Physical and chemical changes of the plasma-treated LDPE surfaces were evaluated with an atomic force microscope, goniometer and x-ray photoelectron spectrometer. Images of plasma-treated and chemically etched LDPE surfaces provided insight into the mechanisms responsible for the topography changes observed at different length scales in terms of the sample distance (ion energy fluence). A significant effect of the nanoscale roughness on the contact angle of LDPE was observed for high ion energy fluence. The results demonstrate a strong effect of the ion energy fluence on the modification of the surface morphology and wettability of plasma-treated polymer surfaces.

Surface Modification of Low-Density Polyethylene by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma

The surface chemistry and nanotopography of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were modified by downstream, inductively coupled, radio frequency (rf) Ar plasma without inducing surface damage. The extent of surface modification was controlled by the applied ion energy fluence, determined from the plasma ion density measured with a Langmuir probe. The treated LDPE surfaces were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) imaging, contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Analysis of AFM surface images confirmed that topography changes occurred at the nanoscale and that surface damage was insignificant. Contact angle measurements demonstrated an enhancement of the surface hydrophilicity with the increase of the plasma power. XPS results showed surface chemistry changes involving the development of different carbon-oxygen functionalities that increased the surface hydrophilicity. Physical and chemical surface modification was achieved under conditions conducive to high-density inductively coupled rf plasma.