Surface Hydrophilization of a Polyester Film by Acrylic Acid Using Low Temperature Plasma

Abstract

A poly(ethylene terephthalate) film was treated with an argon plasma by low-frequency glow discharge and then exposed to the vapor of acrylic acid. The wettability of the film was measured by a contact angle of water and the effects of the treating conditions were examined. The treatment decreased the contact angle from 75° to 60∼35° (Fig.1); the discharge power and the duration of exposure to acid vapor were most influential. From XPS spectra, the surface layer formed was estimated to be less than 15∼20 Å. The electric conductivity along the surface increased by about one order (Fig.3), but it was insufficient to reduce the triboelectricity of the film.