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Ô³çèêî-õ³ì³÷íà ìåõàí³êà ìàòåð³àë³â. – 2015. – ¹ 1. – Physicochemical Mechanics of Materials

SURFACE MODIFICATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES
BY GLOW DISCHARGE PLASMA TREATMENT
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AGRAWAL N. K. , AGARWAL R. , GAUTAM A. K. , VIJAY Y. K. , SWAMI K. C.
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Department of Physics, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India;
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Centre for Converging Technologies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India;
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Department of Physics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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Vivekananda Global University, V I T Campus, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Systematic study was carried out to characterize the effects of Argon ion plasma on nano-
composite polymer membrane. Nanoparticles of cobalt (Co) are synthesized by chemical
root. 20 micron nanocomposite polymeric membranes were prepared using solution cas-
ting and spin coating method. Argon ion plasma treatment was done for these membranes.
These membranes were characterized before and after plasma treatment to make compara-
tive study by different technique such as optical microscopy, SEM-scanning electron
microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results show that plasma treatment
is a quite effective tool for improving surface and chemical properties of composite mem-
branes with unique characteristics.
Keywords: polymer nanocomposites, synthetic membrane, plasma treatment, ion energy,
plasma etching.
Metallic nanoparticles are traditionally synthesized by wet chemical synthesis
where the chemicals used are often toxic [1–3]. Since metal nanoparticles are widely
used in biological applications [4] there is a growing need to develop environmentally
friendly processes for nanoparticle synthesis that do not leave the toxic by-products
[5–6]. Biological methods of nanoparticle synthesis using micro-organisms, plants
including algae, fungi, bryophyte, pteridophyta etc. have been suggested as possible
ecofriendly alternatives to chemical and physical methods [7–8]. Among the various
transition metal nanoparticles, cobalt (Co) nanoparticles have recently received sub-
stantial attention for various reasons – likehigh refractive index [9], high electrical con-
ductivity [10], chemical catalysis [11] and antimicrobial activities [12].
Polymers have become very important materials in modern manufacturing pro-
cesses due to a wide variety of chemical properties [13–14], but it is well known that
permanent bonding [15], printing [16], coating [17], etc. are difficult on many poly-
mers without surface pre-treatment [18]. Therefore, after-surface treatment of modified
polymers has significant advantages in specific requirements of surface properties
while retaining the bulk properties unchanged [19–21]. Physical and chemical modifi-
cations of polymeric materials are also of great interest in artificial skin development
and other biomedical applications [22].
The complex nature of plasma due to presence of ions, neutrals and radiation in
discharge makes low-temperature plasmas widely useable in a growing number of ma-
terials fabrication processes including etching of complex patterns and surface modifi-
cations of polymeric membranes [23]. Plasma surface treatment usually refers to
plasma reaction that either results in modification of the molecular structure of the sur-
face or atomic substitution [24]. The accelerated electrons from the plasma have suf-

Corresponding author: N. K. AGRAWAL, e-mail: research.nka@gmail.com
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