Morphology of plasma-polymerized ethylene

Abstract

A highly crosslinked amorphous polymer is produced by passing ethylene through a radio-frequency electric discharge. The morphology of plasma-polymerized ethylene is examined by replica electron microscopy. It is found that at low pressures and flow rates spherical powder particles are formed ranging in size between 0.2 and 1.2 μm. At high pressures and flow rates a film is formed. The role of the substrate on which the polymer is deposited has been investigated using chromium, Teflon, glass, and freshly cleaved mica as substrates. These materials are listed in order of increasing smoothness. From the electron micrographs it is observed that the surface structure of the substrate is reproduced in the plasma-polymerized films as long as the film is thin ([inverted lazy s] 0.5 μm). Thicker films produced by a longer exposure to the ethylene plasma are characterized by a surface which is smoother than that of the substrate.

A Review of Recent Advances in Plasma Polymerization

“…As the flow rate is increased, both the size and the density of the particles decrease to yield a smoother film. Figures 13 and 14 compare the surface structures of the plasma polymerized ethylene on Teflon, and cleaved mica (46). Because of the rougher initial surface on Teflon, there is a greater concentration of powder on that surface.…”

“…Transmission electron micrographs of plasma-polymerized ethylene on cleaved mica. Polymerization conditions are the same as in Figure 12 (46).…”

Observation of Surface Morphology of Plasma Polymerized Film by Atomic Force Microscopy(AFM).

“…Minute grains are ovserved in every film. [ 1 ] When OMCTS gas pressure was increased, the diameter of the grains increased and their shapes became unclear. Fig.…”

Ionically Conductive Thin Polymer Film Prepared by Plasma Polymerization: I . Hybrid Film of Plasma Polymer Formed from Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, Poly(propylene oxide), and Lithium Perchlorate

“…This observation infers that the general structure of the plasma polymer at 10W is similar to that of polydimethylsiloxane. It was inferred that reactive species polymerized in the gas phase thus leading to the formation of powder particles which deposited via gravity on the substrate and grew slowly during deposition of the film (21). The peak strength of 2960 and 1259 cm -1 became weak and the absorption peaks of plasma polymer at 20W were broad.…”