The effect of direct-current discharge treatment on the surface properties of a poly(1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne) membrane

The effect of treatment in low-pressure direct-current discharge on the surface properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne) membranes was investigated by the goniometric technique. It was shown that the treatment of the membranes at the anode makes it possible to significantly improve their contact properties (to increase the hydrophilicity of the surface). The structure of the membranes before and after plasma treatment was examined by means of Fourier-transform IR reflection spectroscopy. In addition, the sorption of ethanol onto the plasma-treated and untreated membranes was studied with the use of this technique in the transmission mode and it was assumed that it proceeds via different mechanisms, a behavior that can be due to a change in the free volume of the polymer or the formation of a surface charge on the membrane as a result of plasma treatment.