OXYGEN PLASMA-INDUCED DEGRADATION OF THE SURFACE OF POLY(STYRENE), POLY(BISPHENOL-A-CARBONATE) AND POLY(ETHYLENE-TEREPHTHALATE) AS OBSERVEDBY SOFT-X-RAY ABSORPTION-SPECTROSCOPY (NEXAFS)

Biaxially stretched poly(ethylene terephthalate) foils, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(styrene) spin coated films as well as self-sup porting poly(bisphenol-A-carbonate) films were analysed by surface sen sitive near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) before and after low pressure oxygen DC plasma treatments. The degrad ation effects of the treatment are discussed in a common way in terms of probable reaction pathways. The results are, when possible, cross-c hecked by XPS. NEXAFS analysis provides data on the phenyl ring, ester and carbonate group degradation in a straightforward manner. It can b e shown that the phenyl rings in partially crystalline poly(ethylene t erephthalate) are, in comparison, most effectively protected against p lasma attack. In the case of poly(styrene), where the rings are locate d as side chains, they are most efficiently degraded. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.