This article reports on the deposition conditions and characterization of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) thin films grown by initiated plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process. The plasma power is inductively coupled into the process chamber with a planar‐coil antenna through a quartz window, and the substrate is cooled to promote physical adsorption of monomers on its surface. The introduction of the initiator allowed for film deposition at very low plasma powers (1 W) and greatly improves the deposition rates. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed that the chemical functionalities of the monomers are preserved to a good extent during the depositions that were carried out at low plasma powers. The deposition kinetics of PECVD‐produced films from HEMA can be tailored by varying the substrate temperature. The apparent activation energies observed from PHEMA deposition kinetics with varying substrate temperatures are observed to be negative, which supports the hypothesis of the free radical polymerization mechanism in the PECVD PHEMA deposition.

This paper presents the plasma polymerization of poly(hexafluorobutyl acrylate) (PHFBA) thin films on different substrates in an RF plasma reactor with an outer planar electrode. This reactor configuration allowslarge area uniformity and fast processing times. Deposition rates of up to 60 nm min −1 were observed. The influenceof plasma power and substrate temperature on thedeposition rate, structure and wettability of the as-deposited films wasinvestigated. It was observed that better hydrophobicity was obtained at high plasma power and in low temperature conditions. PHFBA thin films deposited on electrospun poly(acrylonitrile) fiber mats under such conditions resulted in superhydrophobic surfaces withcontact angle values greater than 150°. Invitro cell studies using human epithelial cells demonstrated the non-toxic nature of theplasma-polymerized PHFBA films.

The chemical, physical, and morphological features of surfaces play a very crucial role in material properties including wettability, optical, adhesive, mechanical, and so on. Therefore, diagnosis of surface structures is very important for materials science. The properties of natural and fabricated material surfaces can be determined using characterization techniques. In this chapter, some of the most common characterization methods are given. Surface Characterization Methods X-ray Spectroscopy TechniquesThe discovery of X-rays in 1845 by Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen gave rise to significant scientific advancement that benefited a variety of fields by making the invisible to the visible. In 1901, Wilhelm Rontgen received the Nobel Prize in physics for the invention of X-rays. The discovery of X-ray led to significant improvement in the diagnosis for medical applications. In the years subsequent to this discovery, X-rays were used for military applications. Initially, the harmful effects of radiation were not comprehended. Later, it was observed that those who were exposed to X-ray radiation encountered severe burns and skin damages. Thomas Edison's assistant who worked extensively with X-rays, died of skin cancer in 1904. Then, the risk of X-ray radiation was fully understood and this led to the use of protection shields. Today, X-ray technology is being widely employed in numerous fields such as medicine, material analysis, and devices [1].X-rays are electromagnetic energy waves acting like light rays. X-rays have wavelengths in the angstrom range. Furthermore, X-rays are highly energetic and are employed not only to penetrate solids but also to probe their internal structure. As a result of the atom excitation via high energy photons or electrons, an electron is removed from the atom, leading to an electron hole at the inner orbit. These electron holes are filled by outer electrons. As a result

No abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has a wide variety of applications due to its attractive physical and optical properties. Due to its hydrophobic (water-repellent) character, the surface of PMMA should be modified before being used in applications. In this study, the surface of PMMA films were modified by 40.68 MHz high frequency CCP (capacitive-coupled plasma) RF system with nitrogen (N) and argon (Ar) gases. The experiments carried out under various plasma powers while the pressure and treatment time were kept constant. The wettability of the plasma treated surfaces was analyzed with contact angle and surface free energy (SFE) measurements. Also, the change in the chemical structure of the surfaces was investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that all plasma treatments enhanced the hydrophilicity of the surfaces and the lowest contact angle values obtained at high plasma power. The total SFE of the treated surfaces increased with power and the main contribution to total SFE came from polar components. The polar groups formation on the surface after plasma treatment was proved with XPS results. Hence, it was found that high frequency CCP RF plasmas can be used effectively to obtain hydrophilic polymer surfaces.