Ar-N2 plasma treatment of polypropylene sheets via atmospheric microwave plasma pen (AMPP)
Abstract
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most versatile of all the commercial polyolefins. It is inexpensive, rigid and thermally and chemically stable making it difficult to be bonded with adhesives. In this study, the wettability of PP are enhanced through Ar-N2 plasma treatment via Atmospheric Microwave Plasma Pen (AMPP) which is designed for treating heat sensitive materials. The surface energy of PP sheets is increased after five second treatment from 42.7 dynes•cm-1 to 31.1 dynes•cm-1. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy are also used to observe any physical and chemical changes on the surface of the samples.