title: Reduced chemical warfare agent sorption in polyurethane-painted surfaces via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of perfluoroalkanes.
abstract: Perfluoralkalation via plasma chemical vapor deposition has been used to improve hydrophobicity of surfaces. We have investigated this technique to improve the resistance of commercial polyurethane coatings to chemicals, such as chemical warfare agents. The reported results indicate the surface treatment minimizes the spread of agent droplets and the sorption of agent into the coating. The improvement in resistance is likely due to reduction of the coating's surface free energy via fluorine incorporation, but may also have contributing effects from surface morphology changes. The data indicates that plasma-based surface modifications may have utility in improving chemical resistance of commercial coatings.
authors.affiliation: ‡U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, 5183 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, United States.
authors.forename: Wesley O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: ‡U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, 5183 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, United States.
authors.forename: Gregory W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: §Excet, Inc., 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 303, Springfield, Virginia 22151, United States.
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Durke
keywords: chemical warfare agent resistance; paint; plasma treatment; polyurethane