CHARACTERIXATION OF PLASMA ION IMPLANTED SURFACES USING TIME-OF-FLIGHT SECONDARY ION MASS SPECTROMATRY

Plasma Source Ion Implantation (PSII) technique was used for the hydrophilization or hydrophobization of polymer surfaces. Polymers were modified with different plasma gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and tetrafluoromethane, and for varying lengths of treatment time. Plasma ion treatment of oxygen, nitrogen, argon and their mixtures increased significantly the hydrophilic properties of polymer surfaces. More hydrophobic surfaces of polymers were formed after the treatment with tetrafluoromethane. A study of plasma source ion implanted polymers was performed using contact angle measurements and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The TOF-SIMS spectra and depth profile were used to obtain the information about the treated surfaces of polymers. The permanence of this technique could be evaluated with respect to ageing time. The surfaces treated with PSII gave better stability than other surface modification methods.