Effects of dielectric barrier discharge plasma modification on surface propeperties of tropical hardwoods at low pressure

Issue Date

7-2012

Abstract

ACDA MN, DEVERA EE, CABANGON RJ, PABELINA KG and RAMOS HJ. 2012. Effects of dielectric barrier discharge plasma modification on surface properties of tropical hardwoods at low pressure. The study investigated the use of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) for surface modification of Shorea contorta (white lauan), Gmelina arborea (yemane) and Acacia mangium. Wood specimens were exposed to oxygen plasma at various intensities ranging from 5.8 to 46.5 kW-min m-2. Surface free energy was calculated based on contact angle measurements to determine thermodynamic changes on plasma modified wood. Surface characteristics were evaluated using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results of the study showed that plasma modification resulted in significant increase in surface free energy of the three wood species investigated. ATR-FTIR indicated that plasma-treated wood had higher surface polarity compared with untreated controls. AFM 3D image showed that oxygen plasma was capable of cleaning and etching wood surface resulting in the degradation of primary and secondary cell walls. © Forest Research Institute Malaysia.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Tropical Forest Science

ISSN

0128-1283

Volume

24

Issue

3

Page

416-425

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

illustrations, tables, graphs

Language

English

Subject

Acacia, Atomic force microscopy, Dieletric barrier discharge, Gmelina, Shorea, Surface free energy, Surface modification

Digital Copy

yes

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