Surface modification of low-density polyethylene packaging film via direct fluorination

•Direct fluorination has been chosen to adjust polymer surface properties.•Printability was enhanced thanks to the presence of oxygenated groups in addition to CF bonds.•Barrier and tribological properties were also improved.•Direct fluorination treatments have underlined multi-functionality of polymer films.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) films were treated by direct fluorination at different conditions, i.e. static and dynamic ones. Modification of the treated films chemical composition was studied by spectroscopic methods (solid state NMR, XPS and infrared spectroscopy). Surface morphology was investigated by SEM and AFM. Also surface energy measurements and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) were carried out. Direct fluorination resulted in printability, barrier properties towards O2 and tribological properties enhancement. On the contrary, the barrier properties towards water, initially good, were not improved but maintained.