Surface DBD plasma functionalization of the interior of PVC and PTFE tubes: effects on surface properties and environmental safe
Galmiz O., Tomei G., Marotta E., Machala Z.
Applied Surface Science Advances 34, 101051 (2026)
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Abstract: This study investigates the internal surface modification of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and poly(vinyl
chloride) (PVC) tubes using a liquid-electrode surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma system. The
approach addresses the “hollow body problem” by enabling uniform treatment of narrow internal geometries
without vacuum conditions, while maintaining temperatures below the thermal deformation limits of the
polymers. Water contact angle measurements showed successful conversion from hydrophobic to wettable surfaces (WCA ≈ 65–75◦) with stable properties over 25 days, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed
significant surface chemical restructuring, including approximately 50% fluorine replacement in PTFE.
Furthermore, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS) enabled
an integrated environmental safety assessment. The analysis revealed trace perfluorocarboxylic acids (C3–C8)
originating from PTFE as process-related byproducts that remained non-leachable after treatment. For PVC, the
study differentiated between temperature-induced diffusion of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and the formation of phthalic acid as an indicator of plasma-induced oxidative degradation. Ultimately, these results
demonstrate that SDBD plasma treatment is an effective method for modifying polymer tube surfaces while
preserving material integrity and limiting hazardous substance release, providing critical insights into the
environmental and biomedical safety of polymer plasma treatment systems to support their potential use in
medical and related applications.
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