Study of the effect of plasma treatment on the triboelectric properties of Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) slabs

The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is a convenient way to modify the surface properties of polymers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of atmospheric DBD treatment on the triboelectric properties of polymers in sliding contact. The experiments were carried out on two polymers that were rubbed against each other: PP and PE. The pairs of samples were exposed to the DBD, and then taken to a triboelectric test bench for friction charging. The distribution of electric potential at the surface of the tribocharged samples was measured by an electrostatic voltmeter. The triboelectric behavior of the considered polymers depends on the conditions of DBD treatment: thickness of the dielectric barrier and duration of the exposure to the non-thermal plasma. (paper)