| AVS 55th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Plasma Science and Technology | Tuesday Sessions |
| Session PS-TuP |
| Session: | Plasma Science Poster Session |
| Presenter: | S.G. Walton, US Naval Research Laboratory |
| Authors: | S.G. Walton, US Naval Research Laboratory E.H. Lock, US Naval Research Laboratory A.A. Bujanda, US Army Research Laboratory D.D. Pappas, US Army Research Laboratory |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
The intrinsic bulk properties of polymers make them ideally suited for light-weight, conformal protective outerware or devices. Their surfaces properties, on the other hand, require modification to realize their full potential and plasma treatment is one of the most powerful techniques to tailor the functionality of polymer surfaces. In this study, we use pulsed, electron beam generated plasmas to modify the surface of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films. One advantage of these plasmas is the ability to regulate the ion flux and energy at the polymer surface. Under typical operation, the kinetic energies of the incident ions are at or below the energies of the polymer bonds, thus limiting damage caused by ion bombardment. The plasma-polymer interaction produces fluorine-containing groups on the surface, leaving the polymer bulk properties unaffected. Preliminary results indicate that the plasma-treated surfaces exhibit increased hydrophobicity, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows the presence of chemically bonded fluorine groups on the surface, and AFM indicates minimal changes in surface morphology. The results from these studies are used to understand the fluorination of ultra high modulus polyethylene fibers under similar plasma conditions. This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research. EHL is an NRC/NRL Postdoctoral Research Associate.