Abstract: A method of enhancing hydrophilicity of a hydrophobic polymer material includes pre-treating the hydrophobic polymer material. The pre-treating includes treating the hydrophobic polymer material with a first atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a first atmosphere including carbon dioxide to obtain a pre-treated polymer material. The method includes treating the pre-treated polymer material with a second atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a second atmosphere in which an aerosol of an amine is introduced; the amine includes at least one hydrocarbon substituent. A substrate is provided that includes a hydrophobic polymer material having a modified interface. The modified interface includes amine functional groups grafted on the hydrophobic polymer material, the modified interface having a surface energy, which, measured after immersion in water at 20° C. for 3 days, differs from a surface energy of the hydrophobic polymer material by 20 mN/m or less.

Abstract: A method of enhancing hydrophilicity of a hydrophobic polymer material includes pre-treating the hydrophobic polymer material, comprising treating the hydrophobic polymer material with a first atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a first atmosphere. The first atmosphere includes ammonia to obtain a pre-treated polymer material. The method includes treating the pre-treated polymer material with a second atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a second atmosphere in which an aerosol of a carboxylic acid is introduced. A substrate is provided as well, the substrate including a hydrophobic polymer material having a modified interface, wherein the modified interface includes carboxylic functional groups grafted on the hydrophobic polymer material, the modified interface having a contact angle with water, which, measured after immersion in water at 20° C. for 3 days, is at least 25° less than a contact angle with water of the hydrophobic polymer material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite sheet wherein the composite sheet includes at least two outer metal layers and at least one intermediate polymer layer wherein the polymer layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer. The method steps include providing at least a first and a second metal substrate and at least one intermediate polymer layer; coating at least one of the metal substrates with an adhesion promoter layer by plasma coating, wherein plasma coating includes: providing a process gas, generating a plasma, injecting a precursor for providing the adhesion promoter layer into the generated plasma or plasma afterglow, moving or placing the at least one metal strip into the generated plasma or plasma afterglow and depositing a plasma polymerized adhesion promoter layer on the surface of inner side of the metal substrate; and laminating the intermediate polymer layer and the two outer metal layers to build a composite material.

Abstract: A method of enhancing hydrophilicity of a hydrophobic polymer material includes pre-treating the hydrophobic polymer material. The pre-treating includes treating the hydrophobic polymer material with a first atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a first atmosphere including carbon dioxide to obtain a pre-treated polymer material. The method includes treating the pre-treated polymer material with a second atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a second atmosphere in which an aerosol of an amine is introduced; the amine includes at least one hydrocarbon substituent. A substrate is provided that includes a hydrophobic polymer material having a modified interface. The modified interface includes amine functional groups grafted on the hydrophobic polymer material, the modified interface having a surface energy, which, measured after immersion in water at 20° C. for 3 days, differs from a surface energy of the hydrophobic polymer material by 20 mN/m or less.

Abstract: A method of enhancing hydrophilicity of a hydrophobic polymer material includes pre-treating the hydrophobic polymer material, comprising treating the hydrophobic polymer material with a first atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a first atmosphere. The first atmosphere includes ammonia to obtain a pre-treated polymer material. The method includes treating the pre-treated polymer material with a second atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a second atmosphere in which an aerosol of a carboxylic acid is introduced. A substrate is provided as well, the substrate including a hydrophobic polymer material having a modified interface, wherein the modified interface includes carboxylic functional groups grafted on the hydrophobic polymer material, the modified interface having a contact angle with water, which, measured after immersion in water at 20° C. for 3 days, is at least 25° less than a contact angle with water of the hydrophobic polymer material.

Abstract: A method produces a biocidal coating on a substrate, by a flame assisted chemical vapour deposition and a plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition step. In a first step, a biocidal material is deposited onto the substrate, possibly in combination with a first coating forming material. The second step provides a coating forming material onto the first layer, possibly in combination with a second biocidal material. The first step can be a flame assisted CVD step and the second step a plasma assisted CVD step or vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for immobilising a biomolecule on a surface by generating and maintaining an atmospheric pressure plasma, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a sample in the space between two electrodes, a mixed atmosphere being present between the electrodes, applying an alternating voltage to the electrodes for generating and maintaining a plasma in the volumetric space between the electrodes, characterized in that the mixed atmosphere comprises an inert gas or nitrogen, an aerosol comprising a reactive precursor and an aerosol comprising a biomolecule, the reactive precursor and biomolecule being deposited and immobilized during the depositing step.

Abstract: A polymeric film has at least one surface on which chitosan has been immobilised so as to be substantially resistant to leaching and have a strong antimicrobial activity. The polymeric film may be a polyolefin film such as a biaxially orientated polypropylene film. A process immobilises chitosan on a polymeric surface so as to be resistant to leaching and have a strong antimicrobial activity by applying chitosan to a polymeric film surface which has been activated before addition of chitosan to the surface by plasma activation at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is related to method for immobilising a biomolecule on a surface by generating and maintaining an atmospheric pressure plasma, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a sample in the space between two electrodes, a mixed atmosphere being present between said electrodes, applying an alternating voltage to said electrodes for generating and maintaining a plasma in the volumetric space between the electrodes, said voltage having a profile as a function of time, defined by a sequence of time periods during which a positive or zero voltage is applied, alternated with time periods during which a negative or zero voltage is applied, and depositing a coating on a surface of said sample, characterised in that said mixed atmosphere comprises an aerosol comprising a reactive precursor and an aerosol comprising a biomolecule, both of which are deposited and immobilised during the depositing step.