Immobilization of PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers on PTFE-like fluorocarbon surfaces

Poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymers were immobilized on thin fluorocarbon films with a structure very similar to poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) using a microwave argon plasma. Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection and spectroscopic ellipsometry were used to study this process. After investigating the decomposition behavior of PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers, we found that under appropriate plasma conditions, this material can be immobilized on a PTFE-like surface, while its general structure is preserved.