Thermal structuring of films obtained by plasma activation of polypropylene microdroplet streams

Films prepared by plasma-enhanced deposition of polypropylene thermal degra dation products were studied by means of IR, Raman, and electron energy los s spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and elemental analy sis. The specific features of the film structure and processes occurring up on heating of the films are described. The heating was found to lead to deg radation of hydrogen-rich moieties of the films. Evolution of molecular hyd rogen follows different mechanisms at temperatures below and above 870 degr ees C. Depletion in hydrogen is accompanied by an increase in the density o f the base material and by a growth of graphite crystallites.