We investigated the effect of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) forming process on radiofrequency ammonia plasma surface-treated PET flat films and fibres obtained by melt blowing. Ammonia plasma treatment allowed for the incorporation of amino functionalities on both the film and fibre surfaces, with higher values observed at very short treatment times. This plasma treatment also induced polymer chain scissions which were observed as the formation of hydrophilic nodules that coalesced together and were loosely bound to the underlying polymeric materials. These plasma-induced surface damages were notably more important on the melt-blown PET fibres. Consequently, maximisation of the surface amino groups with minimal polymer chain breaking was achieved using very short plasma treatment times (typically 1 s). We also demonstrated that the polymer forming process must be taken into account when plasma modifications are to be performed on PET, as it may already lead to polymer chain breakings subsequently added to those induced in the plasma environment.

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