| AVS 61st International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Plasma Science and Technology | Tuesday Sessions |
| Session PS-TuP |
| Session: | Plasma Science and Technology Poster Session |
| Presenter: | Gregory Peterson, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center |
| Authors: | G.W. Peterson, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center W.O. Gordon, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center E.M. Durke, Excet, Inc. |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Coatings are required to demonstrate chemical resistance in order to protect material, vehicles, and personnel. In addition, numerous other requirements for the development of new coatings often involve substantial reformulation efforts in order to adapt to changing conditions and applications. One method to improve chemical resistance of coatings is to modify the surface of the paint to reduce surface energy without changing the bulk; ensuring any bulk properties remain unaltered. Plasma-based chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) of perfluorinated compounds has been used for years to improve resistance of fabrics and materials to water and other chemicals. For example, there are several reports in the literature of superhydrophobic fabrics developed using PCVD. Here we report the application of a PCVD method that not only induces superhydrophobicity to a real world coating, but dramatically improves the resistance of the coating to the spreading and absorption of the chemical warfare agents, HD and VX. Over the 30 min age time, droplets remained pinned and are therefore more easily decontaminated or removed physically. Surface analysis confirms modification of the surface with fluorinated species and also shows etching of the organic components of the paint. This treatment suggests that surface modification strategies may be effective in improving chemical resistivity, without changing the bulk properties, or requiring a significant reformulation effort.