Analysis of hydrophile process of a polymer surface with an inverter plasma

An analysis of the hydrophile process of a polymer surface was performed wi th a discharge system composed of an inverter power supply and a pair of in sulated parallel electrodes. Using this discharge system, we could produce a narrow-pulsed plasma for which the direction of the applied electric fiel d could be controlled. Contact angle and XPS measurements were performed to analyze the surface of the treated polymer films. In the case of a unipola r pulse operation, the electric field direction toward to the sample surfac e was more effective to prepare a hydrophilic polymer surface than the oppo site one. In the case of a bipolar pulse operation, the contact angle decre ased. This observation is important for a better understanding of the hydro phile process. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.