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Wettability interpretation of oxygen plasma modified poly(methyl methacrylate)
Jinan Chai1, Fuzhi Lu, Baoming Li
1Nanoscale Technology and Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G8, Canada.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 1, 2004
Summary
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surface treatment with oxygen plasma enhances hydrophilicity by introducing oxygen groups and negative charges. This modification significantly reduces water contact angles, improving surface properties for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a widely used polymer.
- Surface modification is crucial for tailoring PMMA properties.
- Plasma treatment offers a versatile method for polymer surface functionalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dc pulsed oxygen plasma treatment on PMMA surfaces.
- To characterize the surface changes induced by plasma exposure.
- To understand the relationship between surface chemistry, charge, and hydrophilicity.
Main Methods:
- DC pulsed oxygen plasma treatment of PMMA at varying durations.
- Surface analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
- Surface topography assessment via optical profilometry.
- Surface charge evaluation using zeta potential measurements.
- Hydrophilicity assessment through advancing contact angle measurements.
Main Results:
- Advancing water contact angles decreased significantly with increasing plasma treatment time.
- XPS detected an increase in oxygen-based functional groups (carbonyl, carboxyl, carbonate) on the PMMA surface.
- Zeta potential measurements indicated an increased negative surface charge after plasma treatment.
- Surface hydrophilicity enhancement is attributed to the combined effect of oxygen functional groups and generated charge states.
- The contribution of the electrical double layer (EDL) to interfacial tension was found to be negligible.
Conclusions:
- DC pulsed oxygen plasma effectively modifies PMMA surfaces, increasing hydrophilicity.
- The enhanced hydrophilicity results from the synergistic incorporation of oxygen functionalities and surface charge.
- EDL effects on interfacial tension are negligible for plasma-treated PMMA under the studied conditions.