Atmospheric Pressure Plasma for Surface Modification

Offers a unique perspective from an author who is a leadingpractitioner in the development and implementation of atmosphericpressure plasma systems for two–dimensional and three–dimensionalsubstrates.

The focus and intent of this book is to impart an understandingof the practical application of atmospheric plasma for theadvancement of a wide range of current and emerging technologies.The primary key feature of this book is the introduction of overthirteen years of practical experimental evidence of successfulsurface modifications by atmospheric plasma methods. It offers ahandbook–based approach for leveraging and optimizing atmosphericplasma technologies that are currently in commercial use. It alsooffers a complete treatment of both basic plasma physics andindustrial plasma processing with the intention of becoming aprimary reference for students and professionals.

Readers will gain an understanding of specific surfacemodification effects by atmospheric plasmas, and how to bestcharacterize those modifications to optimize surface cleaning andfunctionalization for adhesion promotion.

The book also features a series of chapters written to addresspractical surface modification effects of atmospheric plasmaswithin specific application markets, and a commercially focusedassessment of those effects.

Specifically, Atmospheric Pressure Plasma for SurfaceModification:

Provides a clear and concise understanding of mechanisms thatcontrol and operate atmospheric plasma technologies and how thesetechnologies can be leveraged to develop in–line continuousprocessing of a wide variety of substrates Conveys an understanding of specific surface modificationeffects by atmospheric plasmas, and how to best characterize thosemodifications to optimize surface cleaning and functionalizationfor adhesion promotion Addresses practical surface modification effects of atmosphericplasmas within specific application markets, and a commerciallyfocused assessment of those effects

Audience

The text is designed for surface, plastics, and processengineers, managing directors, and production managers in thefollowing industries: flexible packaging, film extrusion, sheetextrusion, injection molding, textile, cold–rolled foil, paperboardpackaging, solar, and battery.

Preface xi

1. Plasma The Fourth State of Matter 1

1.1 Fundamentals of Plasmas 1

1.2 Thermal vs. Nonthermal Plasmas 6

1.3 Mechanisms for Surfaces Reactions 22

2. Plasmas for Surface Modification 27

2.1 Low–Pressure Plasmas 28

2.2 Microwave Systems 31

2.3 Physical Vapor Deposition Systems 33

2.4 Atmospheric Plasma Systems 42

2.5 Atmospheric Plasma Precursor Deposition Systems 51

3. Atmospheric Plasma Surface Modification Effects 55

3.1 Surface Cleaning 56

3.2 Surface Etching 63

3.3 Surface Functionalization 66

3.4 Grafting and Surface Polymerization Effects 75

4. Characterization Methods of Atmospheric Plasma SurfaceModifications 81

4.1 Surface Characterization Techniques 81

4.2 X–Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) 82

4.3 Static Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry by Time–of–Flight(TOF–SIMS) 86

4.4 Atomic Force Microscopy 89

4.5 Scanning Electron Microscopy (TEM) 97

4.7 Visual Methodologies 98

5. Atmospheric Plasma Modification of Roll–to–Roll PolymericSurfaces 109

5.1 Material Classifications and Applications 110

5.2 Atmospheric Plasma Processing Surface Effects 116

5.3 Assessments of Surface Modification Effects 117

6. Atmospheric Plasma Modification of Three–DimensionalPolymeric Surfaces 121

6.1 Material Classifications and Applications 125

6.2 Atmospheric Plasma Processing Surface Effects 129

6.3 Assessments of Surface Modification Effects 135

7. Atmospheric Plasma Modification of Textile Surfaces139

7.1 Material Classifications and Applications 141

7.2 Atmospheric Plasma Processing Surface Effects 145

7.3 Assessments of Surface Modification Effects 151

8. Atmospheric Plasma Modification of Paper Surfaces155

8.1 Material Classifications and Applications 157

8.2 Atmospheric Plasma Processing Surface Effects 162

8.3 Assessments of Surface Modification Effects 164

9. Atmospheric Plasma Modification of Metal Surfaces167

9.1 Material Classifications and Applications 168

9.2 Atmospheric Plasma Processing Surface Effects 173

9.3 Assessments of Surface Modification Effects 177

10. Atmospheric Plasma Surface Antimicrobial Effects181

10.1 Antimicrobial Surface Effects 183

10.2 Inactivation and Sterilization Methods Medical187

10.3 Inactivation and Sterilization Methods Food 189

11. Economic and Ecological Considerations 195

11.1 Operating Cost Comparison of Atmospheric Plasma Systems196

11.2 Environmental/Sustainable Advantages 201

12. Emerging and Future Atmospheric Plasma Applications205

12.1 Solar and Other Alternative Energy Systems 205

12.2 Energy Storage Technologies 211

12.3 Aviation and Aerospace Applications 215

12.4 Electronic Device Fabrication 216

12.5 Air Purification Applications 220

12.6 Medical Engineering 221

13. Economic and Environmental Assessment 225

13.1 Goal and Scope 226

13.2 Functional Units 227

13.3 System Boundaries 230

13.4 Data Documentation 232

13.5 Lifecycle Interpretation 233

Rory Wolf is the Vice President and Technology Directorat Enercon Industries Corporation, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, USA,and a recognized industry resource in the field of polymer surfacemodification. He has twenty–eight years of experience withininternational positions in the plastics and packaging industries,and specific experience in polymer–based flexible packaging,polymer surface modification systems, and printing industrysegments. He has published thirty technical papers, thirty–nineindustry articles, and two books on the topic of plastic surfacemodification by atmospheric plasma technology.

This book is recommended to anyone who wishes to acquirethe practical and applied aspects of APP technology.  (Surface Innovations, 1 March 2013)