ESCA AND FTIR STUDY OF SYNTHETIC PULP FIBER MODIFIED BY FLUORINATED GASES AND CORONA DISCHARGE

Polyethylene (PE) pulp fiber was treated by fluorinated gases and corona discharge, for surface modification. Surface analysis was performed by using X-ray photoelectron (ESCA) and IR (FTIR) spectroscopies. Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), and fluorine (F) were the main atoms detected by ESCA (C1s O1s, and F1s regions) on fluorinated fiber. The F atom was obviously absent on corona-treated fiber. Analysis of C1s peaks (C1, C2, and C3) showed an increase in C2/C and C3/C ratios. The oxidation level increases with the treatment time. O1s peaks components (O1 and O2) were very useful for completing the surface analysis. FTIR spectra showed the presence of carbonyl groups (1740-1717 cm-1), even on nontreated fiber, which increased in intensity as treatment time increased. FTIR results suggest only surface level modification by both treatments, and no structure and morphology changes in bulk of the fiber. © 1993 Academic Press Limited.