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Air plasma processing of poly(methyl methacrylate) micro-beads: Surface characterisations

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Chaozong Liu

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Abstract

This paper reports the surface processing of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) micro-beads by using a rotary air plasma reactor, and its effects on surface properties. The surface properties, including surface wettability, surface chemistry and textures of the PMMA beads, were characterised. It was observed that the air plasma processing can improve the surface wettability of the PMMA microbeads significantly. A 15 min plasma processing can reduce the surface water contact angle of PMMA beads to about 50◦ from its original value of 80.3◦. This was accompanied by about 8% increase in surface oxygen concentration as confirmed by XPS analysis. The optical profilometry examination revealed the air plasma processing resulted in a rougher surface that has a “delicate” surface texture. It is concluded that the surface chemistry and texture, induced by air plasma processing, co-contributed to the surface wettability improvement of PMMA micro-beads.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Liu C, Cui N, Osbeck S, Liang H

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Applied Surface Science

Year: 2012

Volume: 259

Pages: 840-846

Print publication date: 15/10/2012

Date deposited: 22/01/2013

ISSN (print): 0169-4332

ISSN (electronic): 1873-5584

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.07.140

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.07.140

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