SURFACE MODIFICATION OF POLYOLEFIN BY UV LIGHT OZONE TREATMENT/

The surface modification of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) w as investigated by UV light/ozone (UVO) treatment. The surface oxygena tion was determined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ES CA). As shown from ESCA spectra, after UVO treatment, oxygen-containin g functional groups, such as carbonyl, carboxyl, and ether groups, wer e produced in the sample surface. The dependence of oxygenation extent (as measured by O-1s/C-1s value of ESCA spectra) on different experim ental conditions, such as irradiation time, temperature, and O-2 flow rate, was obtained. It was shown that after UVO treatment at suitable conditions the surface properties of polyolefine samples, such as hydr ophilicity, adhesion property, and dyeability, were improved remarkabl y. Furthermore, UVO treatment in short time does not have notable effe ct on the ageing property. It was concluded that UVO treatment is a pr omising technique to modify polyolefine surface properties. (C) 1996 J ohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.