DMA Analysis of Plasma Modified PVC Films and the Nature of Initiated Surface Changes

Abstract

The application of DCSBD (Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge) plasma is referred to as the surface modification/activation of materials. The exposure of material surfaces to DCSBD plasma is initiated by changes in their chemical composition, surface wettability and roughness. The given study presents the mentioned plasma application in the context of the modification of the material viscoelastic properties, namely the PVC polymer film. The measurement of viscoelastic properties changes of PVC was primarily examined by a sensitive thermal method of dynamic-mechanical analysis. This analysis allows identifying changes in the glass transition temperature of PVC, before and after DCSBD plasma application, Tangens Delta, supported by glass transition temperatures of Elastic and Loss modulus. The results of the present study prove that DCSBD plasma applied on both sides to PVC surfaces causes changes in its viscoelastic properties. In addition, these changes are presented depending on the variability of the material position, with respect to the winding of the electrodes in the ceramic dielectric generating the DCSBD plasma during modification. The variability of the PVC position holds an important role, as it determines the proportion of filamentous and diffuse components of the plasma that will interact with the material surface during modification. The application of DCSBD plasma must, therefore, be considered a complex modification of the material, and as a result, non-surface changes must also be considered.

Modification process of selected thermoplastics with cold plasma and evaluation of changes in their properties

“…A more detailed view is processed on a series of scanning electron images, Figure 10. The stated findings are in accordance with the literature, where changes in surface area, changes in surface roughness using atomic force microscopy and changes in contact angles on polyvinyl chloride films were observed [37][38][39].…”

“…White matte bands were also visible on the polyvinyl chloride film, which were identical to the electrode windings found in the ceramic dielectric. The same finding was also presented in the mentioned scientific work [37,38]. These white bands were formed above the electrode winding location, which is a region characteristic of the diffuse part of the plasma, generated by the start and end of electrical micro-discharges.…”

Improving the Hydrophobicity of Plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride for Use in an Endotracheal Tube

“…In this case, the globular formations increased their size to approximately 120-570 nm, and, in some areas, they have an extended elongated character. A similar behavior was reported in the case of the plasma modification of PVC material by Janik et al [63], Belinger et al [64], Khorasani et al [65], and Pedrosa et al [66]. In addition, a study of PTFE deposition on surfaces, using PED (pulsed electron beam) and PLD (coatings deposited by pulsed laser) techniques, showed…”

Atmospheric plasma treatment of rubber and its effect on surface characteristics

“…Plasma source operating in diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) represents a suitable and environmentally friendly technique but remains an active way of materials treatment. Plasma based on the DCSBD discharge is one of the non-isothermal atmospheric pressure plasma [1] sources often used for treatment of dif-ferent types of materials such as glass [2,3], films [4], biomaterials [5][6][7][8] and fibers, but also finds an objective application in treatment of polymeric material surface [9], while enables the treatment at large surface areas, according to the electrode dimensions within high speed of process and still maintains producing homogenous in-line source of plasma [10][11][12][13][14]. In the last few years, the plasma working at the atmospheric pressure is more preferred than low pressure plasma, due to its easier industrialization and faster plasma-chemical processes [3,15].…”