Functionalization of Polyurethane/Urea Copolymers with Amide Groups by Polymer Treatment with Ammonia Plasma
Samples of porous foam from polyurethane/urea copolymers based on polyethylene glycol (PURPEG) were prepared in the form of 1 mm thick discs of diameter 10 cm and exposed to ammonia plasma created by inductively coupled radiofrequency discharge in either low density (E mode) or high density (H mode) The evolution of surface composition and structure upon plasma treatment was characterized by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Treatment in the H mode caused depletion of oxygen even after 2 s of treatment, whereas treatment in the E mode caused gentle functionalization with amide groups. The concentration of functional groups depended on the discharge power, and the best results were obtained at moderately high power just before the transition from E to H modes.
Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing