Abstract In this work we discuss the wettability, chemical composition, surface morphology and optical transmittance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) samples treated by Plasma Immersion and by Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation. The total pressure of N2 or SF6 was 6.66 Pa, for treatments of 900 s, applied rf power of 25 and 100 W, and the substrate temperature was about 298 K. In PIII, high voltage pulses of -2400 V at a cycle time of 30 µs and a frequency of 300 Hz were used. The wettability of the samples was assessed via contact angle measurements, which indicated either hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, depending on the plasma composition. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic analysis confirmed strong fluorine attachment to the surface after treatments using SF6 plasmas, and the presence of oxygen after treatments using nitrogen plasmas. Atomic Force Microscopy images showed that the roughness Rrms, depends on the plasma conditions. Optical transmittance in the visible region, T (λ), was increased by plasma immersion. The greatest contact angle observed was 142º (PI cathode), while the highest roughness was 213.2 nm. The highest optical transmittance in the visible region was around to 90% (PI anode).

Hidroxissais lamelares de zinco foram intercalados com corantes aniônicos azo, obtendo-se pigmentos de coloração laranja. Os materiais foram caracterizados por difração de raios X (XRD), espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), análise térmica (TGA/DTA/DSC) e espectroscopia fotoeletrônica de raios X (XPS). Após caracterização, os pigmentos lamelares foram dispersos em uma matriz de poli(álcool vinílico) - PVA, em concentrações variáveis, em relação à massa de PVA. Filmes homogêneos, transparentes e coloridos foram obtidos pelo método de "casting" úmido e mantidos em dessecador em umidade controlada de 65 % por uma semana e avaliados quanto às suas propriedades mecânicas. Devido às diferentes polaridades dos ânions intercalados, diferentes comportamentos foram observados para os pigmentos quando utilizados como cargas em PVA. Esse trabalho abre uma frente de pesquisas na utilização de hidroxissais lamelares intercalados com corantes aniônicos, como cargas alternativas em materiais compósitos poliméricos.

Layered zinc hydroxide salts were intercalated with anionic azo dyes, obtaining orange pigments. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA/DSC) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After characterization, the layered pigments were dispersed into a matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) - PVA, in variable concentrations, in relation to the PVA mass. Homogeneous, transparent and colorful films were obtained by wet casting method and kept in a desiccator at 65% of humidity for one week and evaluated in relation to their mechanical properties. Owing to the different intercalated anions polarities, different behaviors were observed for both pigments when used as fillers in PVA. This work opens a research front in the utilization of layered hydroxide salt intercalated with anionic dyes, as alternative fillers in polymer composite materials.

In this paper, it is reported the growth of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3±δ films using a chemical solution deposition method (CSD) by the spin-coating technique. Such solution was prepared through a route based on modified polymeric precursor method. Spin-coating deposition on different ceramic substrates was performed and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The magnetic response of the prepared specimens was studied using a SQUID magnetometer. The obtained results indicated uniform deposition on SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 substrates with similar characteristics. Furthermore, significant differences were detected in the Mn3+/Mn4+ valence ratio and a corresponding diverse magnetic response was observed. The sample prepared on SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 presented a critical temperature around 270 K as expected.

In this work, thin polymer films were prepared from acetylene and argon radiofrequency (13.56 MHz, 80 W) glow discharges. Post-deposition treatment was performed by plasma immersion ion implantation in nitrogen or helium glow discharges (13.56 MHz, 70 W). In these cases, samples were biased with 25 kV negative pulses. Exposure time to the bombardment plasma, t, ranged from 900 to 7200 s. Chemical composition of the film surfaces was investigated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and the resistance to oxidation by the etching process, in reactive oxygen plasmas. Oxygen and nitrogen were detected in all the samples. While the concentration of the former continuously changed with t, that of N kept practically constant in small proportions. The film is predominantly formed by sp² states, but the proportion of sp³ hybridization slightly increased with t. The etching rate dropped under certain conditions of nitrogen bombardment whereas helium implantation has not significantly improved it. These results are ascribed to the crosslinking degree of the polymeric chains, ruled by the total amount of energy delivered to the film.