This study describes experiments to quantify polymer surface energy changes after exposure to atmospheric plasma. Atmospheric plasma treatment permits surface functionalization at near-ambient temperatures. Polyethylene and polystyrene are treated with an atmospheric plasma unit. The increased surface energy and improved wetting characteristics lead to a significant adhesion improvement with adhesives that cannot be used without surface treatment.

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Holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) films with partially fluorinated matrices were investigated. Electro-optical and morphological studies revealed that fluorinated composites were substantially different from non-fluorinated analogues. The addition of a fluorinated monofunctional acrylate monomer to a pentaacrylate-derived polymer matrix resulted in improved diffraction efficiency. These findings suggest that the partial fluorination of the host polymer decreases the compatibility between the matrix and liquid crystal phase. Morphological differences between fluorinated films and non-fluorinated control specimens were verified using low-voltage, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (LVHRSEM).