INFLUENCE OF CHARGE STATES PRODUCED BY PLASMA TREATMENT OF POLYIMIDE FILMS ON CHANGE IN POLYMER PROPERTIES DURING STORAGE

The effect of charge states induced in polyimide films by a,low-freque ncy glow discharge treatment on change in surface properties of the po lymer during its storage in air at room temperature was studied. Therm ally stimulated depolarization and relaxation studies show that both p ositive and negative charge states are produced in the surface layer o f the modified polyimide. Their recombination, in addition to screenin g of charges by polar water molecules, also contribute to an increase in the contact angle upon storage of polyimide films.