A new approach for selective surface modification of fluoropolymers by remote plasmas

Ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films were exposed to the remote Ar, H2, and O2 plasmas. The modified polymer surfaces were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurement. The plasma exposure led to weight loss and changes in the chemical composition on the polymer surface. Selective surface modification of fluoropolymers introduces various functional groups without altering the bulk properties. The results may be summarized as follows: the remote hydrogen plasma was the most effective in alternation from CF to CH (abstraction of fluorine). On the other hand, the remote oxygen plasma was unfavorable to abstract fluorine atoms, but effective in dehydrogenation (abstraction of hydrogen).