Plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition of octafluorocyclobutane onto carbonyl iron particles

Abstract

Conformal films of fluoropolymer have been made onto carbonyl iron microparticles by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition of octafluorocyclobutane in this study. RF plasma reactor with a frequency of 40 kHz and rotating barrel fixed between the two discharge electrodes arrangement was used to achieve a uniform surface modification of particles. The samples were treated for different times and various RF powers. Chemical changes in the surface composition after plasma modifications were, subsequently, determined using high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while the surface texture was analyzed via scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed successful fluorination of carbonyl iron particles with a maximum of fluorine content of 2.9 %. The fluoropolymer film fabricated onto particles generally improves the corrosion protection and friction properties resulting in possible use of such magnetic particles in magnetorheological suspensions.