Plasma Surface Functionalization of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene Films with Trimethyl Borate

Nursel Dilsiz, Hande Yavuz, Süleyman Çörekçi, Mehmet Çakmak

.

DOI: 10.4236/ampc.2011.12009                

Abstract

The radiofrequency plasma (13.56 MHz) was employed to polymerize trimethyl borate (TMB) monomer/N2 gas mixture on the surface of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films. Plasma polymer coated polypropylene films were examined by flame retardancy test (limiting oxygen index, LOI). The highest LOI value calculated for the untreated BOPP sample was 18.4 (v/v O2%) and 24.2 (v/v O2%) for the 55 W 30 minutes treated sample. The plasma polymers were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and AFM. According to the FTIR results, the -OH, B-CH3, B-O, and BH2 functional groups were detected. It was found that the highest surface roughness belonged to 40 W 30 min treated BOPP sample which was calculated as 9.78 nm (10 μm × 10 μm). Moreover, the wettability of the modified BOPP film surfaces was characterized via contact angle measurements. The water contact angle values have decreased from 109.6? to the lowest value of 68.2? after the plasma treatment. The results showed that TMB/N2 plasma modification could be used as an alternative method for the enhancement of flame retardancy and hydrophilicity of BOPP film.

Keywords

Polypropylene Film, Trimethyl Borate, Plasma Treatment, Flame Retardancy, Hydrophilicity

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	N. Inagaki, “Plasma Surface Modification and Plasma Polymerization,” Technomic Publication Co., Lancaster, 1996.
[2]	N. Dilsiz and G. Akovali, “Plasma Polymerization of Selected Organic Compounds,” Polymer, Vol. 37, No. 2, 1996, pp. 333-342. doi:10.1016/0032-3861(96)81107-4
[3]	M. C. Porter, “Handbook of Industrial Membrane Tech-nology,” Noyes Publications, USA, 1990.
[4]	S. Bourbigot, C. Jama, M. Le Bras, R. Delobel, O. Dessaux and P. Goudmand, “New Approach to Flame Retardancy Using Plasma Assisted Surface Polymeri- sation Techniques,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 66, No. 1, 1999, pp. 153-155. doi:10.1016/S0141-3910(99)00059-2
[5]	C. Jama, A. Quede, P. Goudmand, O. Dessaux, M. Le Bras, R. Delobel, S. Bourbigot, J. W. Gilman and T. Ka-shiwagi, “Fire and Polymer Materials and Solutions for Hazard Prevention,” G. L. Nelson, C. A. Wilkie, Eds., ACS Publication, ACS Symp Ser, Washington D. C., 2001, pp. 797-200.
[6]	C. Jama, A. Quede, H. Sadiki, O. Dessaux, P. Goudmand, R. Delobel and M. Le Bras, “Recent Advances in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials,” M. Lewin, Ed., Business Communications Co., Norwalk, 2001, pp. 127-136.
[7]	B. Schartel, G. Kühn, R. Mix and J. Friedrich, “Surface Controlled Fire Retardancy of Polymers Using Plasma Polymerisation,” Macromolecular Materials and Engi- neering, Vol. 287, No. 9, 2002, pp. 579-582. doi:10.1002/1439-2054(20020901)287:9<579::AID-MAME579>3.0.CO;2-6
[8]	J. Troitzsch, “International Plastics Flammability Hand-book,” Hanser Publications, New York, 1990.
[9]	M. Sain, S. H. Park, F. Suhara and S. Law, “Flame Re-tardant and Mechanical Properties of Natural Fibre-PP Composites Containing Magnesium Hydroxide,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 83, No. 2, 2004, pp. 363-367. doi:10.1016/S0141-3910(03)00280-5
[10]	S. Zhu and W. Shi, “Thermal Degradation of a New Flame Retardant Phosphate Methacrylate Polymer,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 80, No. 2, 2003, pp. 217-222. doi:10.1016/S0141-3910(02)00401-9
[11]	C. Martin, J. C. Ronda and V. Cadiz, “Boron-Containing Novolac Resins as Flame Retardant Materials,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 91, No. 4, 2006, pp. 747-754. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2005.05.025
[12]	H. Yasuda and C. E. Lamaze, J. Appl. Poly. Sci, Vol. 14, 1971, p. 227.
[13]	American Society for Testing and Materials, “D2863-00 Standart Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxy-gen Concentration to Support Candle-like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index),” ASTM International, 2000, pp. 452-464.
[14]	J. G. Grasselli, “CRC Atlas of Spectral Data and Physical Constants for Organic Compounds,” 1973.
[15]	H. Yasuda, M. Shen and A. T. Bell, eds., Plasma Polymerization, USA, 1978.
[16]	V. Svorcik, V. Kotal, P. Slepicka, O. Blahova, M. Spirkova, P. Sajdl and V. Hnatowicz, Nucl. Instr. and Meth. in Phys. Res B, Vol. 244, 2006, pp. 365-372.
[17]	K. Rockova, V. Svorcik, L. Bacakova, B. Dvorankova and V. Hnatowicz, “Bio-Compatibility of ?on Beam- modified and RGD-Grafted Polyethylene,” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B, 2004, Vol. 225, No. 3, pp. 275-282. doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2004.05.004
[18]	H. Yasuda, “Plasma Polymerization,” Academic Press Inc., New York, 1985.
[19]	L. O’Toole and R. D. Short, “An Investigation of the Mechanisms of Plasma Polymerisationof Allyl Alcohol,” Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions, Vol. 93, 1997, pp. 1141-1145. doi:10.1039/a607397b