Surface modification of various substrates using a non-thermal argon atmospheric plasma jet

We report on the design of a non-thermal argon plasma jet using a 60-Hz high voltage neon sign transformer and thoriated tungsten electrodes on a glass T-tube. Three different substrates–glass slide, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and polypropylene (PP), were exposed to the plasma jet at varying treatment times. Surface modification was measured by the change in the contact angles of a 4μL of droplet of distilled water on the substrates. Results showed that all substrates underwent a decrease in the contact angles. This study shows the potential of the plasma jet for surface modification of glass and the polymer surfaces.