Raziskave plinskih razelektritev za vpeljavo novega okolju prijaznega tehnološkega postopka funkcionalizacije polizdelkov pri proizvodnji kondenzatorjev (Slovene)

Characteristics of gaseous discharges suitable for application in large vaccum chambers such as the chamber for metallization of polymer foils will be investigated. The goal of the project is an optimization of the technology for production of foil capacitors and thus higher quality of the products. The stability of plasma sustained by such discharges will be monitored with Langmuir and catalytic probes, as well as by optical emission spectroscopy, Two-photon Absorption Laser Induced Fluorescence (TALIF) and titration, while the surface modifications will be monitored by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and methods for determination of surface energy. A prototype of the device for simultaneous plasma treatment of the polypropilene foil in the metallization chamber will be developed, as well as the system for real time measurements of key plasma and discharge parameters.

To the best of our knowledge, we are the first research team that has ever performed systematic research on the role of crystallinity on the behavior of polymers in low pressure highly dissociated plasma. We found important differences in the behavior (the interaction probability depends on the degree of crystallinity). Highly cristalline polymers should be treated with more aggressive plasma than amorphous ones, and the required flux of oxygen atoms on the surface of some crystalline polymers should be almost an order of magnitude larger to achieve same effects in terms of surface nanoroughness and functionalization with polar functional groups. Similar results (though not as pronounced) were obtained for the sace of treatment of samples with plasma rich in nitrogen atoms. The long term stability of discharges and low pressure plasma created in atmoshere rich in water vapour is another scientific achivement. We found that radicals created by dissociation of water molecules interact with metallic materials and the result is the loss of surface properties that may eventually lead to instabilities in the DC discharges.

The Slovenian industry faces fierce competition from third countries and can only keep or increase the market share by development of new, ecologically benign technologies. These technologies are also characterized by high quality of products and thus high value added. Unfortunately many companies including our partner do not have enough resources in terms of skilled manpower, scientific equippment and available funds. This aplicatively oriented project enables research that would otherwise not be performed without the financial contribution from Agency. The results of such collaboration between public research organizations and industrial researchers improve the technological know how and open possibilities for improvement the quality of products and thus enhancement of production. This is especially important for Bela krajina, an underdeveloped Slovenian region.