Surface modification of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) by a low-temperature cascade arc torch and radio-frequency plasmas

Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films were treated with a low-temperature cascade are torch (LTCAT) and radio-frequency (RF) plasmas of argon and hyd rogen. The plasma-treatment effect on the PTFE surface was studied with con tact-angle measurement and scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM). LTCAT argo n plasma, which is recognized as a beam of excited argon neutrals, was very efficient at improving the surface hydrophilicity of PTFE. For both the LT CAT and RF operation, argon plasma was more effective at modifying the surf ace wettability of PTFE films than hydrogen plasma was. Furthermore, the sa mple positions (inside or beyond the glow region) had a strong impact on th e efficiency of the plasma treatment. SEM surface images indicated that no significant morphology change was induced on the PTFE films exposed to a LT CAT and RF argon plasmas. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.