Low-Temperature Plasma Processes for Polymeric Surface Modification

Low-temperature plasmas have found wide applications in surface modification of various polymer materials. While plasma surface modification provides a unique method in tailoring surface characteristics of various polymers without affecting their bulk properties, the degradation effects of plasmas on polymers are usually overlooked and their causes are not yet well understood, mainly due to the complex nature of the plasma environment. In comparison with traditional plasma processes, a new and very different plasma technique, low-temperature cascade arc torch (LTCAT) plasma possesses many unique advantageous features in surface modification of polymeric materials. The recent development of LTCAT treatment of polymeric materials will be summarized and some examples of its successful application will also be given and discussed.