Dyeing of polycarbonate resin
The surface of polycarbonate (PC) was fluorinated with a mixed gas of F2 and O2 at 25 °C for 1 h. The surface roughness (Ra) of the fluorinated PC samples was about double that of the untreated sample (0.685 nm), while the water contact angle of the fluorinated PC samples decreased from 80° to 12°.
Enhanced dyeing properties
The dyeing properties of the PC surface were enhanced after surface fluorination due to the increased roughness and hydrophilicity. Fluorination using a mixed gas with a higher F2 proportion led to the formation of a thicker dyeable fluoride layer, thereby giving a deeper color after staining of the PC surface.
The study has been published in Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 19, March 2022.