X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of the ability to monofunctionalize polymer surfaces by low energy atomic bombardment

Low energy atomic bombardment is designed to limit the potentially reactive species to the atoms which are present in a radiofrequency (r.f.) plasma discharge. This might give the ability to monofunctionalize surfaces for specific applications such as biocompatibility. Bombardment of polystyrene and poly(trans)isoprene with nitrogen atoms does not result in the incorporation of any heteroatoms at the polymer surface. Other attempts were made on poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate) without any results, even though the samples had been activated by argon ion bombardment; the thermalized atoms seem to have insufficient energy to functionalize these polymers. In contrast, ion bombardment performed with low energy nitrogen ions (500–1500eV) is able to incorporate a majority of amine functions.