Surface modification of porous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) film via cold plasma treatment

► The poly(tetrafluoroethylene) films were modified with air, acrylic acid and helium plasma and characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), scanning probe microscope(SPM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water contact angle measurements. ► According to SEM and SPM measurements, the surface roughness increased at different levels after plasma treatment. ► Compared to air and AAc plasma treatment, the He plasma treatment introduced large amounts of oxygen into the surface, as known from XPS results. ► Contact angle measurements revealed that the hydrophilicity of the PTFE film surface was greatly improved.