Surface Modification
Surface modification can be achieved through a variety of ways. In chemical modification the surface is reacted chemically and this method can be used to achieve a molecular thin layer or a thicker coating layer.
Physical modification can be achieved through adsorption of molecules or particles. Finally the surface can be modified through mechanical means in order to change the topography of the surface.
Plasma modification
In plasma modification of surfaces the surface is subjected to a cold plasma, which is a gas that is subjected to a high intensity radio field. This high intensity breaks up the gas molecules into fragments which are highly reactive and hence react with the surface being present in the reactor.
Corona treatment
Another method to change a surface is to subject it to a corona. Here the corona oxidizes the surface and hence the surface becomes hydrophilic.
Vacuum deposition and sputter coater
These methods are normally used for the preparation of samples for scanning electron microscopy. In the first method a metal is made to evaporate and condense at the sample while in the latter method the metal is bombarded with argon ions such as to remove fragments of metal that then will deposit onto the surface of interest.
Spin coating
In spin coating the surface is placed onto a spinning disc and a solution deposited. As the solvent evaporates the substance is deposited onto the surface.