HYDROGEN LIQUID VAPOR RADIO-FREQUENCY GLOW-DISCHARGE PLASMA OXIDATION HYDROLYSIS OF EXPANDED POLY(TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE)(EPTFE) AND POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE)(PVDF) SURFACES

Modification of fluorine-containing polymers has recently received much attention due to new chemistries allowing for refunctionalization of these materials, especially their surfaces. In this article results are discussed which demonstrate various interesting modifications (including incorporations of -OH and oxygen comprised functionality) to expanded poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) surfaces. This is effected through the use of low damage, radio frequency glow discharge (RFGD) processes. The low damage conditions, which preserve the original pore structure/morphology of these RFGD treated materials, are supported by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) while the resulting atomic and molecular effects are investigated through other surface analytical methodology. All materials reported in this investigation have been subjected to intensive structural analyses utilizing Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and wettability profiles obtained through contact angle measurements using a large series of liquids having varying surface tensions and surface reactive functionality. Through this multitechnique analysis of both expanded PTFE and poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) treated surfaces, a model is supported which illustrates surfaces possessing both high and low energy regions comprising both oxygen and fluorine functionality in close molecular proximity.