Hydrophilic surface formation on polymers by ion-assisted reaction

The wettability and adhesion of various polymers were improved using ion-assisted reaction (IAR) method, in which the polymer surfaces were irradiated by energetic ions in a reactive gas environment. The addition of new polar groups on polymer surfaces and permanent wettable polymer surfaces (water contact angle below 30degrees and surface free energy 60-70 mJ/m(2)) have been accomplished by IAR treatment. The changes in wettability and surface free energy were critically dependent on the ion dose, the ion beam energy and the flow rate of the reactive gas. Improvements in wettability and surface free energy are primarily attributed to the increase of polar components due to the formation of polar groups such as -(C=O)-, -(C=O)-O-, -(C-O)-, etc. The characteristics of the IAR treatment have been reviewed, with outstanding results regarding the wettability and adhesion of various polymers from polyolefin to fluoropolymers. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.