https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap/2017170149
Regular Article
Modification of surface characteristic and tribo-electric properties of polymers by DBD plasma in atmospheric air
1
Institut Pprime, UPR 3346, CNRS - Université de Poitiers − ENSMA, IUT d'Angoulême,
4 Avenue de Varsovie,
16021
Angoulême, France
2
LSTE Laboratory, M.S Mascara University,
BP 305,
Mascara
29000, Algeria
3
APELEC Laboratory, Djilalli Liabes University,
Sidi Bel Abbes
22000, Algeria
4
Institut Pprime, CNRS, Université de Poitiers, ISAE-ENSMA,
86962
Futuroscope Chasseneuil, France
* e-mail: fethi.bekkara@gmail.com
Received:
24
April
2017
Received in final form:
16
June
2017
Accepted:
22
November
2017
Published online: 30 January 2018
The aim of this paper is to quantify the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) exposure on the physico-chemical and tribo-electric properties of polymers. The study was conducted in atmospheric air on polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl-chloride. These three types of polymers are widely used in industry. The polymers were characterized by means of an optical profilometer, a fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and an electric charge measurement system. The latter is composed of a Faraday pail connected to an electrometer. The profilometer analyses showed that the DBD plasma treatment has increased the surface roughness of the three polymers. FTIR revealed that oxygen atoms and polar groups were grafted on their surfaces, thereby conferring them a hydrophilic character. The short (2 sec) DBD plasma treatment has considerably improved the electrostatic charge acquired by the polymers during electrostatic tribo-charging, while longer exposures conferred the polymer anti-static properties and decreased its tribo-charging capability. The correlation between the results of the physico-chemical analyses and the tribo-electric behavior has been discussed.
© EDP Sciences, 2018
