Rapid In Situ Preparation of Conductive Graphite-like Films on Polymer Surfaces via Hydrogen Plasma Technology

Many special polymer materials with high strength, low density, and high processability have been developed for the substitution of metal products in recent years; however, their electrical insulation properties sometimes limit their application in medicine, electronics, and aerospace fields. Constructing a conductive layer on polymers may be a promising strategy for conquering these problems, but simply obtaining a high-quality conductive layer remains a challenge. Here, we develop a universal strategy to in situ fabricate a conductive graphite-like film on various polymer surfaces based on a simple one-step gas plasma ion implantation method. Theoretical and experimental results confirm that the reducibility of free radicals and the electrophilicity of cations in plasma are critical for the formation of graphite-like films on polymer surfaces. Compared with argon and oxygen plasma, hydrogen plasma with strong reducing hydrogen radicals and weak electrophilic hydrogen cations can produce the highest degree of graphitization of graphite-like films. The as-prepared polymers treated by hydrogen plasma ion implantation presented good surface conductivity and reduced friction coefficient, which has great potential for application in medicine, electronics, and aerospace fields.