Low-frequency plasma activation of nylon 6

In the study reported in this paper, a series of reproducible conditions were employed to uniformly functionalize nylon 6 surfaces using commercially available, low-frequency (40 kHz), low-pressure plasma system, utilizing oxygen as reactive gas. Initially, plasma-treated samples investigated static contact angle measurements, showing progressive increase wettability with increasing activation time between 10 and 40 s. Such an (and therefore adhesive capabilities surfaces) was attributed creation surface C-OH, C=O, COOH groups. These surface-chemical modifications characterized x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) secondary ion mass spectrometry (SSIMS). Surface radical densities also shown following activation, having been quantified scavenging method based on molecule 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The imaged analyzed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) atomic force (AFM), confirm that there had no detectable alteration roughness or morphology. Additionally, “hydrophobic recovery” “ageing” activated polymer samples, post-plasma treatment, terms surface-chemistry, sample decreasing over due reduction surface-oxygen concentration.