Polymer surface electric properties modification by plasma corrosion

Thermally Stimulated Discharge Current method, TSDC, was used to analyze the surface modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, as a consequence of plasma corrosion of the sample. The interaction between a low pressure gas plasma and organic materials has mechanical (surface cleaning and dry micro-etching) and electrostatic (cross-linking) and surface activation effects. These effects conduct to changes in polymer surface electrical properties. The measurements were made on as received sample, electron injected sample and polarized sample. The peak's position and peak's intensity changes depend on the corrosion conditions and electric charging procedure. The injected charge is less stable than the polarization charge. If the corrosion time is long or the corrosion energy is high, the sample dielectric breakdown strength decreases.