New Surface Treatment of Polymers by Simultaneous Exposure to Vacuum Ultra-Violet Light and Nanometer-Sized Particles

By focusing the strong vacuum ultra-violet absorption of carbon atoms, polymer surfaces were simultaneously exposed to vacuum ultra-violet light (VUV) and nanometer-sized particles. As a result, the adhesive properties of polymer surfaces were improved. The improvement of the polymer surface is caused by the creation of the bonds between nanometer-sized particles and carbon atoms of the polymer surfaces, which is supported by the theoretical calculation of core electron bonding energy. Despite the other UV treatment, the polymers themselves were not damaged or maintained their surface activations for more than one month. This result should expand new applications of polymers, and apply to almost all polymers scientifically and industrially.