Air plasma treatment of copper sheets using Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge

The treatment of copper sheets by atmospheric-pressure air plasma generated using the Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge was studied. The surface free energy measurements indicated a significant increase of the wettability after several seconds of plasma exposure. The atomic force microscopy technique revealed a relatively small increase of the surface roughness due to the plasma treatment. The observed increase of wettability, the influence of air humidity on treatment efficiency and the hydrophobic recovery of the plasma treated surfaces were studied by the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A generation of surface –NOx groups in humid air plasma was observed.

► Copper surface cleaning after air DCSBD plasma.
► Humid DCSBD plasma resulted in surface activation by nitrate groups.
► Aging effect of copper plasma treated surfaces.
► Surface oxidation of copper sheets by air plasma treatment.