Selective grafting of amine groups on polyethylene by modulated NH3 plasmas

Plasma treatments in power modulated NH3 RF glow discharges have been performed for modifying the surfaoe of polyethylene (PE). Time Resolved Optical Emission Spectroscopy (TR-OES) has been utilized for monitoring the emission of active species during the modulation period of the discharge. Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) has been used for studying the surface composition of PE before and after the derivatization of plasma-grafted-NH2 groups. We present our preliminary results here, which show how modulated NH3 plasmas can effectively improve the grafting selectivity of -NH2 respect to all other N-containing groups.