Plasma-polymerized acetylene nanofilms modified by nitrogen ion implantation

► Nitrogen PIII improved the hardness and elastic modulus of the PP acetylene films. ► Wettability of the films increased right after PIII, but it diminished in aging. ► The films treated with low to medium exposures times show highest elasticity index. ► These results are ascribed mainly to the increase in the chain crosslinking degree. ► In general, the degree of modifications depends on treatment time.