Plasma Treated Polymers

Helping scientists understand the chemical changes in modified polymer surfaces.

The modification of polymer surfaces to alter their structural, chemical, physical and electronic properties can be achieved by plasma treatment.

Modifying the surface in this way extends the range of applications that a chosen polymer, with preferred mechanical properties, can be considered for. Examples include the introduction of fluorinated end groups to increase hydrophobicity and therefore, increase liquid repellency or the activation with species that render surfaces hydrophilic and therefore suitable for the attachment of functional biological species. As plasma modification of surfaces typically does not extend beyond a few nanometers, full quantitative chemical characterization after plasma treatment requires analytical techniques that provide surface selectivity. The range of Thermo Scientific characterization tools offers the analyst a selection of surface sensitive probes that assist with this endeavor.