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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Treating Surfaces with a Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma using the COST-Jet
Published on: November 2, 2020
Charge Dynamics and Flashover Performance on Polyethylene Surfaces Modified by Atmospheric Pressure Fluorocarbon
Wang Guo1, Jia-Chen Zhang1, Chen-En Sun1
1State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an710049, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Fluorocarbon plasma modification of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) improves flashover voltage by optimizing surface charge dynamics. Moderate treatment enhances dielectric performance, while excessive treatment can reduce it.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Plasma Physics
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Dynamic surface charge significantly impacts polymer insulator flashover and equipment reliability.
- Fluorocarbon plasma modification enhances dielectric performance by altering surface properties and charge transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of He/PFPE atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) modification on LDPE films.
- To elucidate the correlation between surface charge dynamics, physicochemical changes, and flashover performance.
Main Methods:
- Needle-ring atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) using helium and perfluoropolyether (PFPE) for fluorination.
- Pockels-effect measurements for dynamic charge behavior analysis.
- Evaluation of flashover voltage, surface resistivity, and trap distribution.
Main Results:
- Flashover voltage increased by 43.35% after 120s treatment, showing non-monotonic dependence on treatment time.
- Modification led to more homogeneous charge distribution and faster charge dissipation.
- Moderate treatment optimized charge transport and trapping, enhancing flashover performance.
Conclusions:
- Optimized fluorocarbon plasma modification balances charge transport and trapping for improved dielectric strength.
- Excessive treatment can negatively impact flashover performance due to increased charge retention.
- Direct visualization of surface charge dynamics provides mechanistic insights into plasma modification effects.
