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The properties of the final product resulting from plasma polymerization strongly depend on the operating conditions and they impact the final application of the plasma polymer coating. Low‐pressure pulsed plasma polymerization of maleic anhydride was investigated at two different positions in relation to the glow discharge in a 1‐m‐long tubular reactor. Interestingly, competition was observed in the deposition of maleic anhydride plasma polymer in the form of a smooth thin film versus that in the form of nanoparticles. The possibility of a spatiotemporal control of plasma polymerization enabled the deposition of a plasma coating with tunable morphological properties depending on the sample position from the glow discharge and on the plasma pulse parameters (on‐time and off‐time). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of surface chemistry on the morphogenesis of maleic anhydride plasma polymer is investigated on silicon wafers with very well‐controlled surface chemistries (i.e., native oxide, hydroxyl‐rich, and alkyl‐rich). A particular attention is paid to characterize the early stages of growth. Two different morphologies of polymer films are obtained, depending on the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the substrate surface, even though the chemical composition is very similar. Homogeneous and dense polymer films are formed on hydrophilic substrates due to the strong affinity of plasma species toward the surface. Elongated nanostructures resulting in a less dense polymer film grow on the hydrophobic surface, which are assumed to be the result of the low affinity of plasma species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional ultrafiltration membranes can be used for water decontamination. Here, we investigate the use of plasma polymerization to modify polymeric membranes with poly(allylamine) in order to filtrate aqueous solutions contaminated with Ni(II) ions. A preliminary study is performed to control growth kinetics of polymer thin films with respect to the energy provided to the precursor during deposition. Filtration experiments then enable to quantify the efficiency of the different functional coatings as for their retention of Ni(II) ions and to identify the optimal characteristics of the polymer thin films. Retention rate as high as 96% can be achieved by this single‐step functionalization process, which is very competitive compared to conventional multi‐step wet chemical functionalization techniques. Ultrafiltration membranes are functionalized with poly(allylamine) by plasma polymerization for water decontamination. By controlling growth kinetics and physico‐chemical properties of plasma coatings, retention rate of Ni(II) ions as high as 96% can be achieved by this single‐step functionalization process, which is very competitive compared to conventional multi‐step wet chemical techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]