Effect of plasma treatment on the triboelectric properties of polymer powders

Surfaces of fine polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) powders were modified by exposure to the downstream products of a nitrogen or oxygen microwave plasma. The effects of nitrogen and oxygen incorporation in the powder surface were studied with emphasis on variations in the triboelec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 1993-09, Vol.74 (6), p.4026-4033
Main Authors: KODAMA, J, FOERCH, R, MCINTYRE, N. S, CASTLE, G. S. P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Coating, metallization, dyeing
Exact sciences and technology
Machinery and processing
Plastics
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Technology of polymers
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Summary:Surfaces of fine polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) powders were modified by exposure to the downstream products of a nitrogen or oxygen microwave plasma. The effects of nitrogen and oxygen incorporation in the powder surface were studied with emphasis on variations in the triboelectric properties of the powder. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was utilized to determine the changes in surface elemental composition. After nitrogen plasma treatment, the C 1s peak shapes suggested the formation of amines in the case of PS, and the formation of imines and amides in the case of PMMA. Oxygen plasma treatment appears to result in the formation of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups on the surfaces of both PS and PMMA. After treatment with a nitrogen or oxygen plasma, the charge-to-mass ratio (Q/M) of PS and PMMA powders in contact with carrier particles was measured using the cage blowoff method. The surface charge density (Q/A) was calculated from Q/M. The Q/A of nitrogen plasma-treated PS powder was seen to shift towards positive charge with small increases in the nitrogen concentration. The Q/A of oxygen plasma-treated PS powder initially shifted toward negative charge, but changed towards positive charge with higher oxygen concentrations. Plasma-treated PMMA powder showed a different behavior and the variation of Q/A on PMMA was much less than that of PS. Results suggest that triboelectrification of the polymer powder may be related to changes in the electrical surface states, and that nitrogen may act as a group V modifier within the PS surface.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.354447