SURFACE MODIFICATION OF UHSPE FIBERS THROUGH ALLYLAMINE PLASMA DEPOSITION .1. INFRARED AND ESCA STUDY OF ALLYLAMINE PLASMA FORMED POLYMERS

Allylamine (CH2 = CH - CH2 - NH2) was polymerized through rf generated plasma at varying powers and times. Chemical groups and elemental compositions in the polymers were studied using ESCA and infrared spectroscopy. It was observed that plasma derived polymers contained a significant number of primary amines, along with some secondary and tertiary amines, imines, and nitrile groups. Plasma derived polymers had a complex structure and contained unsaturated groups. A considerable amount of oxygen, primarily from residual air in the plasma reaction chamber, and possibly from atmosphere when plasma polymers were exposed to air, was responsible for carbonyl, amide, ether, and hydroxyl groups found in the polymer structure. Some silicon was also detected in the plasma deposited films.