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Issue Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys.
Volume 22, Number 1, April 2003
Page(s) 61 - 67
Section Physics and Mechanics of Fluids
DOI 10.1051/epjap:2003010
Published online 25 February 2003

Eur. Phys. J. AP 22, 61-67 (2003)
DOI: 10.1051/epjap:2003010

DC pulsed plasma surface treatment of atactic and isotactic polystyrene thin films with oxygen, oxygen-nitrogen mixture and nitrogen: study of wettability

J. Larrieu1, B. Held1, F. Clément1 and R.C. Hiorns2

1  Laboratoire d'Électronique des Gaz et des Plasmas, Université de Pau, 64000 Pau, France
2  Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie des Polymères, Université de Pau, 64000 Pau, France

bernard.held@univ-pau.fr

(Received: 26 September 2002 / Received in final form: 9 December 2002 / Accepted: 13 December 2002 Published online: 25 February 2003 )

Abstract
This article deals with the cold plasma treatment of atactic polystyrene (aPS) and isotactic polystyrene (iPS) thin films with oxygen, oxygen-nitrogen mixture or nitrogen. Experimental results showed that the use of a DC pulsed plasma discharge at low pressure can considerably increase surface hydrophilicity. Variations in macroscopic surface properties were studied by water drop contact angle measurements. It was found that treatment of aPS resulted in a greater change in wettability than that for iPS. This initial observation of the effect of tacticity, and thus polymer microstructure, on surface properties is discussed with regards to the crystalline and helical nature of iPS.

PACS
52.75.-d - Plasma devices.
81.65.-b - Surface treatments.
81.05.-t - Specific materials: fabrication, treatment, testing and analysis.

© EDP Sciences 2003


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