Change in surface free energy and surface resistivity of polycarbonate and polypropylene sheets after plasma exposure

Abstract

It is well known that the polymers show many desirable physical and chemical characteristics such as high strength to weight ratio, resistance to corrosion, and relatively low cost etc. Polymers are widely used both for high-tech and consumer product applications and they have been able to replace more traditional engineering materials (1). There is still fundamental difference between polymers and engineering materials which is still challenging. The characteristics low surface free energy and the high surface resistivity are still the point of research. Because of low surface free energy the polymers show poor adhesion. Adhesion can be estimated by contact angle between the surface tangent of sessile drop and the solid substrate hosting the drop. Conducting polymers can be used as driving electrodes for polymer dispersed liquid crystal display devices.