Air DCSBD plasma treatment of Al surface at atmospheric pressure

The ambient air plasma cleaning and activation effects on aluminum surface using the Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge in ambient air are presented. Atomic Force Microscopy, Attenuated Total Reflectance FTIR and Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the changes on the surface before and after plasma treatments. The plasma cleaning effect on aluminum, i.e. decrease of hydrocarbon contamination, was proven. Also the air plasma treatment resulted in a significant increase of amount of OH groups on the surface and in a decrease of the surface roughness.