Mechanisms behind surface modification of polypropylene film using an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet

Plasma treatments are common for increasing the surface energy of plastics, such as polypropylene (PP), to create improved adhesive properties. Despite the significant differences in plasma sources and plasma properties used, similar effects on the plastic film can be achieved, suggesting a common dominant plasma constituent and underpinning mechanism. However, many details of this process are still unknown. Here we present a study into the mechanisms underpinning surface energy increase of PP using atmospheric-pressure plasmas. For this we use the effluent of an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) since, unlike most plasma sources used for these treatments, there is no direct contact between the plasma and the PP surface; the APPJ provides a neutral, radical-rich environment without charged particles and electric fields impinging on the PP surface. The APPJ is a RF-driven plasma operating in helium gas with small admixtures of O2 (0-1%), where the effluent propagates through open air towards the PP surface. Despite the lack of charged particles and electric fields on the PP surface, measurements of contact angle show a decrease from 93.9° to 70.1° in 1.4 s and to 35° in 120 s, corresponding to a rapid increase in surface energy from 36.4 mN m-1 to 66.5 mN m-1 in the short time of 1.4 s. These treatment effects are very similar to what is found in other devices, highlighting the importance of neutral radicals produced by the plasma. Furthermore, we find an optimum percentage of oxygen of 0.5% within the helium input gas, and a decrease of the treatment effect with distance between the APPJ and the PP surface. These observed effects are linked to two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TALIF) measurements of atomic oxygen density within the APPJ effluent which show similar trends, implying the importance of this radical in the surface treatment of PP. Analysis of the surface reveals a two stage mechanism for the production of polar bonds on the surface of the polymer: a fast reaction producing carboxylic acid, or a similar ketone, followed by a slower reaction that includes nitrogen from the atmosphere on the surface, producing amides from the ketones

Optical Emission Spectroscopy of Glow, Townsend-like and Radiofrequency DBDs in an Ar/NH \textsubscript3 Mixture

International audienceThree homogeneous DBD modes have been observed in argon ammonia Penning mixture. The transition from glow to Townsend-like to radiofrequency modes happens when the frequency increases from 50 kHz and 9.6 MHz. The aim of this paper is to characterize these modes based on the study of optical emission spectra. The transition from glow mode to Townsend-like mode is characterized by stronger argon emissions associated to higher energetic electrons. The radio-frequency mode is characterized by a continuum in the UV-vis range. This continuum is attributed to bremsstrahlung emission. Its presence is explained by a high density of less energetic electrons which is consistent with a decrease of argon emissions and an increase of the NH 336 nm system associated with electrons of low energy. \textcopyright 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd

Nano-particle size-dependant charging and electro-deposition in Dielectric Barrier Discharges at Atmospheric Pressure for thin SiO x film deposition

International audienceThis paper focuses on charging and electro-deposition of nano-particles produced in a mixture of Silane and nitrous oxide diluted in N 2 , by Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure for SiO x film deposition. Townsend Discharge (TD) and Filamentary Discharge (FD) are compared with and without SiH 4. Without SiH 4 , particles are produced by filament-surface interaction. Both filament-surface and plasma-Silane interactions lead to bimodal particle size distributions from nucleation and agglomeration. With SiH 4 , particle formation and growth imply the same mechanisms in TD and FD. Faster dynamics in FD are related to higher local volume energy density than in TD. From scanning electron microscope images of the film and measurements downstream of the DBD reactor, the diameter of the particle produced is below 50 nm. An analytical model of electro-collection in ac electric field is used to investigate nano-particle charging. To account for the selective electro-deposition leading to particles smaller than 50 nm being included in the layer and to the particle size distribution measured downstream of the DBD, the same size-dependent charging and electrodeposition of particle are involved, with different charging dynamics in TD and FD

Recent advances in the understanding of homogeneous dielectric barrier discharges

This paper is a state of the art of the understanding on the physics of homogeneous dielectric barrier discharges at atmospheric pressure. It is based on the analysis of present and previous work about the behavior of these discharges and the conditions to get them. Mechanisms controlling the homogeneity during gas breakdown and discharge development are successively discussed. The breakdown has to be a Townsend one, the ionization has to be slow enough to avoid a large avalanche development. During the breakdown, the discharge homogeneity is related to the ratio of the secondary emission at the cathode (γ coefficient) on the ionization in the gas bulk (α coefficient). Higher is this ratio, higher is the pressure × gas gap product (Pd) value for which a Townsend breakdown is obtained. Among the phenomena enhancing the secondary emission there is the negative charge of the dielectric on the cathode surface, the trapping of ions in the gas and the existence of excited state having a long lifetime compared to the time between two consecutive discharges. The first phenomenon is always present when the electrodes are covered by a solid dielectric, the second one is related to the formation of a positive column and the third one is specific of the gas. During the discharge development, the homogeneity is mainly controlled by the voltage or the current imposed by the electrical circuit/electrode configuration and by the gas ability to be slowly ionized. Larger is the contribution of a multiple step ionization process like Penning ionization, higher will be the working domain of the discharge. A decrease of the gas voltage during the discharge development is a solution to enhance the contribution of this process. After 20 years of research a lot of mechanisms have been understood however there is still open questions like the nature of the Inhibited homogeneous DBD, surface energy transfers, role of attachment and detachment..

Atmospheric pressure dual RF-LF frequency discharge: Influence of LF voltage amplitude on the RF discharge behavior

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