X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of the ability to monofunctionalize polymer surfaces by low energy atomic bombardment

Low energy atomic bombardment is designed to limit the potentially reactive species to the atoms which are present in a radiofrequency (r.f.) plasma d ischarge. This might give the ability to monofunctionalize surfaces for spe cific applications such as biocompatibility. Bombardment of polystyrene and poly(trans)isoprene with nitrogen atoms does not result in the incorporati on of any heteroatoms at the polymer surface. Other attempts were made on p oly(acrylic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate) without any results, even t hough the samples had been activated by argon ion bombardment; the thermali zed atoms seem to have insufficient energy to functionalize these polymers. In contrast, ion bombardment performed with low energy nitrogen ions (500- 1500 eV) is able to incorporate a majority of amine functions. (C) 1998 Soc iety of Chemical Industry.