Introduction of Primary Amino Groups on Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Surfaces by Ammonia and a Mix of Nitrogen and Hydrogen Plasma

With the aim of introducing primary amino groups on the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), two methods were compared-the use of ammonia or a combination of nitrogen and hydrogen low-pressure microwave plasma. Several plasma parameters were optimized on the reactor to increase the -NH2 surface density, which was estimated by colorimetric titration and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These techniques show that whatever the plasma treatment, almost 2 -NH2/nm(2) are incorporated on PET films. Emission spectroscopy highlighted a correlation between the density of primary amino groups and the ratio between an NH peak intensity and an Ar peak intensity (I-NH/I-Ar). Variation in surface hydrophilicity with aging in air after plasma treatment was monitored with contact angle measurements and showed a hydrophobic recovery. This was confirmed by XPS, which suggests also that surfaces treated by NH3 plasma are more stable than surfaces treated by N-2/H-2.