Oxidation of Polyethylene: A Comparison of Plasma and Ultraviolet Ozone Processing Techniques

摘要

Plasma and ultraviolet (UV) ozone treatments were compared as methods to functionalize ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene films in order to make them more compatible with materials or reactive for subsequent surface chemistry. Oxidation states and atomic compositions were determined using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while surface energy and bond stability were probed with contact angle goniometry. Both modification techniques increased the surface energy of the polymer, and the bonds formed were found to be stable over a period of 30 days. Plasma treatment times were much shorter than UV ozone; thus, plasma was determined to be a more efficient surface modification technique.