Ambient air linear atmospheric plasma jet for the improvement of the surface properties of ionoplast interlayers for laminated glass

This study investigates the feasibility and efficacy of generating stable atmospheric pressure plasma using standard ambient air in an open environment for the surface activation of SentryGlas ionoplast interlayers. We utilized a novel linear atmospheric pressure plasma jet (DCSBD linear APPJ) based on diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) technology operated in ambient air. Both the rough and smooth ionoplast surfaces were modified and characterized by water contact angle (WCA) measurements, XPS, and a 180° peel test to assess adhesion. The results unequivocally demonstrate that the DCSBD linear APPJ in ambient air achieves highly effective surface modification. Air plasma treatment reduced the WCA significantly and the corresponding peel strength increased substantially. XPS analysis confirmed that air plasma treatment was highly efficient in introducing oxygen-containing polar functional groups. SEM confirmed the non-thermal nature of the process, ensuring the preservation of the material’s original morphology. This work not only establishes the technical viability of a 5 mm effective treatment distance (a significant increase from 0.3 mm for DCSBD plasma) but also confirms that the most economical ambient air can deliver high-performance durable surface activation. This offers a viable, scalable, and environmentally friendly alternative for streamlined industrial applications in high-performance laminated glass manufacturing.