Nano-ordered thin films achieved by soft atmospheric plasma polymerization

Abstract

Plasma polymer thin films are of great interest in surface engineering in a wide range of applications. Herein, by using soft atmospheric plasma deposition parameters and by adapting these conditions to the used perfluorodecyl and dodecyl acrylates precursors, it is possible to get a high retention of monomer functionalities and a polymerization close to conventional methods. Molecular investigation revealed the presence of polymeric moieties and the mechanism of plasma polymerization has been mainly based on the polymerization by activation of the ethylenic groups. X-ray diffraction analyses have shown the presence of a smectic lamellar where the polyacrylate backbone was the amorphous phase and fluorinated and alkyl side chains were the hexagonal crystalline section. Wetting properties have been evaluated and finally showed hydrophobic surfaces