Surface properties of polymers treated with F2 laser

• Published in: Surface and interface analysis 2012-03, Vol.44 (3), p.296-300
• Main Authors: Řezníčková, A., Chaloupka, A., Heitz, J., Kolská, Z., Švorčík, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Exact sciences and technology; excimer laser; Impact phenomena (including electron spectra and sputtering); laser ablation; Laser-beam impact phenomena; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Physics; polymers; Properties and characterization; surface morphology; Surface properties; zeta potential
• ISSN: 0142-2421; 1096-9918
• DOI: 10.1002/sia.3801

Selected polymers (polyethylene‐PE, polypropylene‐PP, polytetrafluoroethylene‐PTFE, polystyrene‐PS and polyethylenterephthalate‐PET) were irradiated with the linearly polarized light of a pulsed 157 nm F2 laser. The irradiation results in degradation of polymers and ablation of polymer surfaces. Contact angle, measured by goniometry, was studied as a function of the number of laser pulses. The volume of the ablated polymer layer was determined by gravimetry. Changes in surface morphology and roughness were observed using atomic force microscopy. Surface chemistry of the samples was investigated by electrokinetic analysis and by XPS. While PET and PE exhibit small ablation, the ablation of PS and PTFE is more significant, and the most pronounced ablation is observed on PP. Contact angle of all polymers, with the only exception of PP, is a decreasing function of the number of laser pulses up to 2000 pulses. Laser irradiation leads to a refinement of the polymer surface morphology and a decrease of their surface roughness. Electrokinetic analysis and PS show changes in the surface chemistry of polymers after the laser treatment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.