Alter Surface Chemistry
The ability to control and tailor surfaces with specific chemical functionalities is oftentimes critical for studying surface interactions of materials or improving interfacial, biological, and electronic properties for optimal material performance. Depending on the process gas and processing conditions used, plasma can alter the surface to be more hydrophilic or hydrophobic, or to introduce specific chemical functionalities to the surface without affecting the bulk material. This page provides brief summaries on the application of plasma treatment to alter surface chemistry.
Photocatalysis
Photocatalysis is a process where light energy, usually from ultraviolet (UV) sources, is used to accelerate a chemical reaction through the activation of a catalyst. The ability to degrade harmful substances and improve material properties under...
Textile Chemistry
Textile chemistry is important for numerous markets, including clothing, automotive, and outdoor recreation industries. Plasma treatment is a dry, non-toxic process that can make textiles water-repellent, oil-repellent, or both. In this application...
Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)
What is Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)? Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a modified form of Raman spectroscopy often used in the life sciences for cell analysis. SERS has also been used to detect chemical residues for...
Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Plasma treatment can be a beneficial step for creating superhydrophobic surfaces through promoting strong adhesion of a hydrophobic coating, surface roughening, and plasma polymerization.Applications of Superhydrophobicity Hydrophobic surfaces have...
Graphene-based Sensors
Graphene, a single atomic layer of carbon with a hexagonal crystal structure, is especially appealing for use in sensor applications because of its high surface area and abundance of active sites for analyte capture, favorable semiconductor properties such as high...