Abstract
Structural and thermal properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) modified by argon and oxygen plasma. The effects of plasma treatment on physico-chemical properties of PTFE surface have been determined by different characterization techniques viz, Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR analysis revealed the defluorination of PTFE modified by plasma due to the rupture of C-C and C-F bonds. The Plasma beam irradiation induce chain scission in the polymer, which resulted in the formation of relatively stable free radical, reduction in thermal stability and decrease in crystallinity of the polymer.