Exploring approaches to functional surface modifications using an atmospheric plasma jet printer
type: CreativeWork
description: Atmospheric plasma jet printing is an exciting technology which uses plasma generated under atmospheric conditions to excite, ionize, and induce chemical interactions between the plasma and materials. The aim of this work is to use an atmospheric plasma jet printer to create highly functional, tailored surface modifications and coatings. Understanding the processes which occur in the plasma are essential to use the plasma jet printing parameters to control the features of the surface coating formed. High speed video analysis and optical emission spectroscopy were used investigate the behaviour of the plasma in the atmospheric plasma jet printer. Properties such as the plasma density, flow rate, substrate type and proximity to the substrate surface were adjusted. The impact of these parameters on the emission features or the physical characteristics of the plasma jet were determined, and the relationship of these characterize to the energy transfer processes occurring in the plasma were inferred. The interactions between aerosols containing desired surface coating materials and the plasma are also important to understand. Two model organic polymerisable precursor materials, a monomer from a conductive polymer, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and an organosilane, hexamethyldisiloxane were investigated under varying plasma printing conditions, and the plasma behaviour related to the coating structure and function. In both cases, coherent and robust surface coatings were formed and the extent of polymerisation in the surface coating was shown to be influenced by peak-to-peak voltages of the RF supply and residence time of the aerosol in the plasma. An applied voltage of 22 kV and a flow rate of 2000 sccm demonstrated the most dense structures among the conditions test, with lower voltages and flow rates resulting in increased polymerisation and structure sizes. Evidence of functionality of the coatings was seen in modifications to the surface hydrophilicity, and in conductiv…
abstract: Atmospheric plasma jet printing is an exciting technology which uses plasma generated under atmospheric conditions to excite, ionize, and induce chemical interactions between the plasma and materials. The aim of this work is to use an atmospheric plasma jet printer to create highly functional, tailored surface modifications and coatings. Understanding the processes which occur in the plasma are essential to use the plasma jet printing parameters to control the features of the surface coating formed. High speed video analysis and optical emission spectroscopy were used investigate the behaviour of the plasma in the atmospheric plasma jet printer. Properties such as the plasma density, flow rate, substrate type and proximity to the substrate surface were adjusted. The impact of these parameters on the emission features or the physical characteristics of the plasma jet were determined, and the relationship of these characterize to the energy transfer processes occurring in the plasma were inferred. The interactions between aerosols containing desired surface coating materials and the plasma are also important to understand. Two model organic polymerisable precursor materials, a monomer from a conductive polymer, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and an organosilane, hexamethyldisiloxane were investigated under varying plasma printing conditions, and the plasma behaviour related to the coating structure and function. In both cases, coherent and robust surface coatings were formed and the extent of polymerisation in the surface coating was shown to be influenced by peak-to-peak voltages of the RF supply and residence time of the aerosol in the plasma. An applied voltage of 22 kV and a flow rate of 2000 sccm demonstrated the most dense structures among the conditions test, with lower voltages and flow rates resulting in increased polymerisation and structure sizes. Evidence of functionality of the coatings was seen in modifications to the surface hydrophilicity, and in conductiv…
author: Lolohea, Taniela Finau Pita
license: https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm
date published: 2020
date modified: 2026-07-24T01:06:29Z
provider: University of Auckland
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: ResearchSpace@Auckland

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/2292/57785