Study on surface modification of polytetrafluoroethylene using atmospheric pressure glow discharge in air

The differences in discharge characteristics between atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) are determined by the measurement of their electrical discharge parameters and observations of light emission phenomena. The effects of APGD and DBD on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface modification are studied. The surface properties are characterized by the contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results show that the APGD and DBD treatments modify the PTFE surface in both morphology and composition, and the APGD is more effective than the DBD in PTFE surface modification. APGD can modify the surface more uniformly. After 40 s APGD treatment, the oxygen content of PTF surface increases from 0 to 21%, and the water contact angle decreases from 118° to 53°.