Reduction of Plasticizer Leaching from PVC by Barrier Coatings Deposited Using DBD Processes at Atmospheric Pressure

Barrier coatings against plasticizer leaching are deposited on flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC) films typically used in flooring or in the automotive industry. Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) and hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) are plasma polymerized using plasma-activated CVD (PA-CVD) based on an atmospheric pressure (AP) dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). A reduction in plasticizer leaching higher than 80% is achieved with these coatings. The effect of the monomer flow rate, discharge power, and oxygen flow rate on the barrier efficiency is investigated. The coating composition of the best barrier coating has been identified and the long-time barrier efficiency in contact with an organic solvent has been studied.