Surface Structure of Low-Density Polyethylene Film Exposed to Air Plasma

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Abstract
The surface structures of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film exposed to plasma or .gamma.-ray in air were characterized by ESCA, IR, and EMS. The formation of trans C=C bond on the LDPE film surface was observed by the exposure to ac air plasma (2 .times. 10-2 torr, 19 W plasma power). Large amounts of O and N atoms as an amide structure were incorporated into the polymer surface by the plasma treatment. These plasma reactions occurred mainly in the amorphous region, and the polymer surface became rough enough to have a microdomain structure upon increasing the plasma treatment time up to 3h. .gamma.-Irradiation of LDPE in air only brought about O-atom incorporation as ketone and ether linkages. The polymer surface did not undergo etching under .gamma.-irradiation as it did in plasma treatment.