TITLE:
Ultraviolet Laser Based Gas Phase Fluorination of Polystyrene
AUTHORS:
Simon Kibben, Klaus Vogelsang
KEYWORDS:
UV-Laser Polymer Modification, Local Fluorination
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Surface Engineered Materials and Advanced Technology,
Vol.4 No.5,
August
27,
2014
ABSTRACT: A novel hybrid
process for surface fluorination of polymers is being introduced. The process
is based on ultra violet (UV) laser radiation, which on the one hand forms
radicals out of an atmosphere of a partially fluorinated benzene, and on the
other hand activates a polymer surface in the areas where the UV radiation hits
the surface. The radicals can react with the polymer surface, hence altering
the surface energy. With this process, a fluorine content of over 30% on the
surface of bulk polystyrene can be achieved, while the smallest possible
structure size was smaller than 1 mm.