Surface modification of SU-8 for metal/SU-8 adhesion using RF plasma treatment for application in thermopile detectors

• This article reports on plasma treatment of SU-8 epoxy in order to enhance adhesive strength for metals. Its samples were fabricated on standard silicon wafers and treated with (O2 & Ar) RF plasma at a power of 25W at a low pressure of (3×10-3 torr) for different time spans (10 sec – 70 sec). The sample surfaces were characterized in terms of contact angle, surface (roughness and chemistry) and using a tape test. During the contact angle measurement, it was observed that the contact angle was reduced from 73° to 5° (almost wet) and 23° for (O2 & Ar) treated samples, respectively. The RMS surface roughness was significantly increased by 21.5% and 37.2% for (O2 & Ar) treatment, respectively. A pattern of metal squares was formed on the samples using photolithography for a tape test. An adhesive tape was applied to the samples and peeled off at 180o. The maximum adhesion results, more than 90%, were achieved for the O2-treated samples, whereas the Ar-treated samples showed no change. The XPS study shows the formation of new species in the O2-treated sample compared to the Ar-treated samples. The high adhesive results were due to the formation of hydrophilic groups and new O2 species in the O2-treated samples, which were absent in Ar-treated samples.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Annan materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Other Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

SU-8

contact angle

plasma treatment

surface modification

adhesion

tape test

theromocouples

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)