PLASMA-ENHANCED MODIFICATION OF CELLULOSE - POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

Plasma enhanced methods are an effective way for the surface modification of polymeric materials using unconventional reaction pathways. By tuning the parameters of the plasma process, the surface properties of the substrate could be controlled in a wide range and could be properly fitted to the applicative demands. This will be shown for the plasma enhanced modification of cellulose, e.g. demonstrating the possibilities to change the content or functional groups and the morphology, or the effective cross-linking in a surface-near region. This gives the possibility for a controlled variation of the surface tension (the wettability), the swelling, the adhesion and the compatibility to other polymeric materials, or the barrier properties of cellulosic materials.