An XPS investigation of polymer surface dynamics. I. A study of surface modified by CF4 and CF4/CH4 plasmas

For making the surface hydrophobic, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films were subjected to treatment by CF4 and CF4/CH4 plasmas, and the PET fabrics, to impregnation (padding) with Oleophobol S for comparison. The electronic structure of the modified surface was differenentiated by XPS (ESCA). The surface dynamics upon heating and dipping into water was investigated by the angle‐dependent XPS technique. Application of the XPS technique to these topics gave a wealth of information. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.