An overview about our analytical services can be found at
www.polymer-analysis.com
If we consider an ideally smooth surface of polyethylene, we are able to calculate
the concentration of methylene groups as about 8e-9 mol/cm2. Taking into
consideration that a plasma surface treatment can affect only a few atomic layers,
the analysis of the surface chemical structure of such a surface has to deal with
groups present in a concentration of some nanomol per square centimeter. This is beyond
the abilities of the classical tools of organochemical structural analysis like infrared
spectroscopy or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Therefore, surface sensitive
methodes have to be used.
For more detailed introduction into surface chemistry look e.g. at
Queen Mary & Westfield College.University of London.
Some instrumentation we have in our laboratory.