Effect of plasma on the degradation of synthetic polymers.

Abstract

Polymer powders, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polymmide (nylon 6, PA), were treated by four kinds of non-polymer-forming plasmas, Ar, Oz, CF4, and CCl4. The greatest weight loss was observed in Oz-plasma treatment due to its effective etching. In CF4 plasma at the flow rate of 10 cm3(STP)/min, the molecular weights of PMMA and PA were reduced effectively. From the analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, a new peak that may be assigned to acid fluoride was found, which was resulted from the decomposition of ester and amide groups in PMMA and PA, respectively. In CCl4 plasma, polymerization took place preferentially.

Plasma Decomposition of Synthetic Polymers and Formation of Organic Compounds.

“…H2O was thought to be effective for the hydrolysis of ester, but that is not the case in this system. For the hydrolysis or decomposition of esters, more ionic species, such as F may be effective [9].…”

“…02, well known as a good etching gas for organic materials [8], could be more effective for the simple decomposition, but an ultimate objective of this study is the effective and useful recycle of plastics. H2O, recognized as an oxygen supplier with the least cost, is also expected to be effective in hydrolysis of esters [9].…”