Sains Malaysiana 46(5)(2017): 783–793

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2017-4605-13

 

Low Pressure DC-Plasma System for the Modification of Polymeric Membrane Surfaces

(Sistem DC-Plasma Tekanan Rendah untuk Pengubahsuaian Permukaan Membran Polimer)

 

CHALAD YUENYAO^1,2,3*, THAWAT CHITTRAKARN^1,2, YUTTHANA TIRAWANICHAKUL^1,2 & HIDEKI NAKAJIMA⁴

 

¹Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90112

Thailand

 

²Membrane Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science

Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand

 

³ThEP Center, CHE, 328 Si Ayutthaya Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand

 

⁴Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), 111 University Avenue, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand

 

Received: 27 June 2016/Accepted: 24 October 2016

 

ABSTRACT

The main objectives of this work were to develop a lab-scale direct current (DC) glow discharges plasma system for modification of organic and inorganic membranes. Characteristics of plasma system were presented under the discharge of five gases (Ar, N₂, air, O₂, and CO₂). A Langmuir double probe was used for the evaluation of the electron temperature (Te) and electron density (ne) of plasmas. The current and voltage (I-V) characteristic curves were analyzed. Relationships between breakdown voltage (VB) of gases and products of gas pressure and inter-electrode gap (pd) were studied in form of Paschen curves. The results showed that Te of plasma in various gases was in the range of 4^-13 eV, while the ne varied between 108 and 109 cm-3. The plasma generated at different gas pressure and applied voltage is in the normal and abnormal modes. Finally, the constructed DC-plasma system was utilized for modification of polymeric membrane surfaces. Treatment time, discharge power and type of gas were varied. The tailoring of membrane surfaces was analyzed through the water contact angle and percent-weight loss (PWL) measurements, DMTA, AFM, XPS and FTIR spectrum. It could be shown that DC-plasma from this system can be used to modify the surface of polymeric membranes.

 

Keywords: Breakdown voltage; characterization; DC discharge plasma; Langmuir double probe; polymeric membrane

 

ABSTRAK

Objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk membangunkan satu skala makmal arus terus (DC) cahaya buangan sistem plasma untuk pengubahsuaian membran organik dan bukan organik. Pencirian sistem plasma telah ditunjukkan dengan penyingkiran lima gas (Ar, N₂, udara, O₂ dan CO₂). Prob berganda Langmuir digunakan untuk menilai suhu elektron (T_e) dan ketumpatan elektron (n_e) plasma. Pencirian arus dan voltan (I-V) lengkung dianalisis. Hubungan antara gas pembelah voltan (V_B) dan produk tekanan gas serta jurang antara elektrod (pd) telah dikaji dalam bentuk lengkung Paschen. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa T_e plasma dalam pelbagai gas adalah dalam lingkungan 4-13 eV, manakala n_e berjulat antara 10⁸ dan 10⁹ cm^-3. Plasma yang dihasilkan pada tekanan gas yang berbeza dan voltan gunaan adalah dalam mod normal dan tidak normal. Kesimpulannya, sistem DC-plasma yang dibina digunakan untuk pengubahsuaian permukaan membran polimer. Masa rawatan, kuasa pelepasan dan jenis gas telah berubah. Pengukuran permukaan membran dianalisis melalui sudut sentuh air dan pengukuran kehilangan peratus berat (PWL), spektrum DMTA, AFM, XPS dan FTIR. Ia dapat ditunjukkan bahawa DC-plasma daripada sistem ini boleh digunakan untuk mengubah suai permukaan membran polimer.

 

Kata kunci: Membran polimer;  pecahan voltan; pencirian; penyingkiran DC plasma; prob berganda Langmuir

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*Corresponding author; email: chalady_2012@hotmail.com