Surface modification of ethylene‐vinyl alcohol copolymer treated with plasma source ion implantation

Abstract

The plasma source ion implantation technique was applied to modify the surface of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film using various working gases. The effects of the treated films were observed on the adhesion efficiency and physical properties. The hydrophobic properties of EVOH films were greatly enhanced after tetrafluoromethane-plasma source ion implantation (PSII) treatment. On the other hand, the higher hydrophilic properties of EVOH films increased after oxygen-PSII treatment. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the improved hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties of the film were closely related to the formation of fluorine-containing functional groups (i.e., CF, CF 2 , and CF 3 ) or oxygen-containing functional groups (i.e., CAO, C¼ ¼O) on the modified surface. According to the result observed by atomic force microscopy, the surface roughness was not influenced on the change of contact angle. Both the peel strength and oxygen barrier property were improved in the case of CF 4 þO 2 -PSII-treated EVOH films. As a function of aging time, the properties of modified EVOH surfaces were maintained after PSII treatment using CF 4 and O 2 at the energy level of À5 kV for 1 min. When using PSII treatment, the properties of the EVOH surface were controlled by working gas and treatment conditions. V V C

Recent Updates on the Barrier Properties of Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH): A Review

“…Hong et al (2009) treated EVOH32 with plasma to modify the surface, which enhanced the hydrophobic properties due to the formation of fluorine-containing functional groups. [97] Tenn et al (2012) also used plasma treatment on EVOH29 and EVOH44 to generate hydrophobic surfaces. This reduced the P H 2 O up to 28% at 25 C. [98] Another study showed the use of hydrolysis reactions on an EVA copolymer film.…”

Polyamide grafting onto ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer

“…Figure 6 shows the 13 CNMR spectra of EVOH before and after grafting. In 13 Brought to you by | University of Pittsburgh Authenticated Download Date | 6/3/15 5:28 AM 29.74 ppm, respectively. At the same time, new peaks at 27.31 and 31.17 ppm corresponding to NH-CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 and NH-CH 2 -CH 2 , respectively, of the nylon structure, appeared in the spectrum of the five pass sample.…”

“…Furthermore, EVOH copolymers with two different vinyl alcohol compositions have been modified to produce glycopolymers containing aminosaccharide pendant groups [12]. Surface treatment of EVOH with plasma source ion implantation was carried out by Hong et al [13]. Synthesis of sulfonated EVOH [14], EVOH-graftedpoly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) copolymers [15], EVOH-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone) by reactive extrusion [16] and phosphorylcholine-modified poly(ethyleneco-vinyl alcohol) [17] has also been reported.…”

Modification of surface wettability of sodium ionomer sheets via atmospheric plasma treatment

“…From the industrial standpoint, one of the more interesting surface treatments that can be used to improve the surface properties of the ionomer is treatment by atmospheric plasma. Polymers treated with this type of plasma have shown increased wettability, owing to the action of the plasma, which modifies surface functionality, thereby increasing surface energy (γ s ), providing the polymer with hydrophilic properties [10–14]. This effect is the result of the formation of free radicals over the surface of the treated ionomer; an interaction occurs between the ionomer chains and the ionized species created by the plasma current and from reactions with the air.…”