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Changes in silicon elastomeric surface properties under stretching induced by three surface treatments
V Roucoules1, A Ponche, A Geissler
1Institut de Chimie des Surfaces et Interfaces, I.C.S.I., C.N.R.S., UPR 9069, 15, Rue Jean Starcky, 68057 Mulhouse Cedex, France. Vincent.Roucoules@uha.fr
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|November 15, 2007
Summary
Surface treatments of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) were compared under stretching. UV irradiation offered superior crack resistance and stable surface properties, unlike water plasma or plasma polymerization treatments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is widely used in applications requiring substrate elongation.
- Surface treatments are crucial for tailoring PDMS properties, especially under mechanical stress.
- Understanding surface behavior during stretching is vital for optimizing PDMS applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of UV irradiation, water plasma, and plasma polymerization on PDMS surfaces.
- To investigate the molecular and macroscopic behavior of treated PDMS under mechanical stretching.
- To analyze the chemical composition and surface properties of PDMS films during elongation.
Main Methods:
- PDMS substrates were treated using UV irradiation, water plasma, and plasma polymerization.
- Treated surfaces were subjected to mechanical stretching.
- Surface chemical composition was analyzed using techniques to study crack formation and chemistry.
- Contact angle measurements were performed to assess surface wettability under stretching.
Main Results:
- UV irradiation substituted methyl groups with hydroxyl and acid groups.
- Water plasma formed a silicate-like layer, while plasma polymerization created an organic film with anhydride and acid groups.
- Stretching induced cracks in silicate-like and plasma polymer layers, revealing underlying PDMS.
- UV-treated PDMS showed no cracking, and its contact angle remained stable during stretching.
- Water plasma treatments exhibited significant contact angle variations under stretching.
Conclusions:
- UV irradiation provides superior stability and crack resistance in PDMS surfaces under mechanical stretching compared to water plasma and plasma polymerization.
- The chemical composition of cracks in plasma-treated PDMS differs from native PDMS, influencing surface properties.
- PDMS surface treatments significantly impact their behavior and performance during elongation, with UV irradiation offering the most robust solution.
