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The diffuse coplanar surface barrier plasma discharge (DCSBD) still belongs to specific methods of modifying (activating) the surface of polymeric materials. The present work deals with surface treatment of polypropylene foils by plasma discharge, investigation and subsequent identification of changes caused by mentioned discharge. The modified surface was examined by measuring the wetting angle. Film surface morphology and topography was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Subsequently, it was examined whether the modification of polypropylene by DCSBD plasma discharge only affects the surface of the investigated material or also changes structural properties in studied material, based on the obtained data from DMA analysis.

The present work, as one of the first scientific works, deals with the modification of the glass surface induced by DCSBD plasma discharge to increase the adhesion of decorative gold layers on glass products. In the study of such a modification, it was necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the modification of the glass surface, and subsequently it was necessary to test the resistance of the deposited gold layers in tests performed directly in operation. In the present work, the adhesion of gold to DCSBD-modified glass surfaces by plasma discharge was uniquely evaluated by image analysis.

Targeted surface modification of materials is becoming a commonly used process in the production and research environment. This process alters the functional properties of the polymer surface and, under laboratory and manufacturing conditions, can ideally be initiated by a diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge plasma, also called a cold plasma. The efficiency of the surface modification process by this type of discharge is given mainly by the speed of the plasma‐chemical modification process. An interesting area of research in this area is the characterization of changes in the above plasma chemical modification. The nature of the changes can be observed ideally on the flat surfaces of selected materials, since the height of the visually homogeneous plasma layer is approximately 0.3 mm. During the process of plasma chemical modification, the investigated surface of the polymeric material is also exposed to temperature, electric micro‐discharges, heat flow and ultraviolet radiation. All these elements affect changes that need to be investigated and described. The effect of temperature and micro‐discharges during the cold plasma treatment can be evaluated from thermograms. Visually homogenous plasma respectively heat flow from its generation is first time monitored with Schlieren Imaging system. The effect of degradation (due to ultraviolet radiation) of polymers is monitored with static tensile test.

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