Abstract
Surface-modified polymers play a substantial role in various aspects of science and technology. Many physical as well as
chemical methods are available for modifying polymer surfaces. Surface modification of polymers by plasma treatment is a
facile approach which offers flexibility, effectiveness, safety and environmental friendliness. By plasma treatment bulk
properties of the material remains unchanged whereas the surface properties may be tailored to the need of the application.
Commercial polyvinyl chloride membrane purchased from Malaysian Sun Cool Shade Sails is used as modification material.
The membrane is treated in the D.C. glow discharge plasma chamber for different exposure times. The changes in chemical
structure and topology of the membrane surface after plasma treatment were investigated using FTIR, XRD and SEM
studies in correlation with that of the untreated membrane. According to the result, there is a change in crystalline nature,
grain size and surface roughness after plasma treatment. The predominant result of this study was longer the plasma
treatment, rougher the membrane surface.
Keywords
Polyvinyl chloride membrane, Plasma treatment, Glow discharge D.C plasma chamber, surface modification, FTIR, XRD,
SEM.
Citation
P. ANURADHA, A. ANU KALIANI, Surface characterization of polyvinyl chloride membranes modified by plasma treatment, Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials - Rapid Communications, 3, 10, October 2009, pp.1094-1098 (2009).
Submitted at: July 22, 2009
Accepted at: Oct. 2, 2009