XPS Studies of Polymer Surface Modifications and Adhesion Mechanisms

XPS has been used to elucidate the mechanisms of surface modification of low density polyethylene by electrical (“corona”) discharge treatment and by chromic acid treatment. The use of derivatisation techniques for improving the precision of functional group analysis is described. These techniques also allow the role of specific interactions in adhesion to discharge treated surfaces to be investigated. The role of residual Cr on the adhesion of deposited metal to polymer surfaces is discussed.