Upgrade of the project Surface-limited selective functionalization of polymer components

Project Leader: Prof. Dr Miran Mozetič (Jozef Stefan Institute)

We will investigate the correlation between the degree of functionalisation and the adhesion of the coating to plasma-functionalized materials. The goal of the project is to extract the correlation for some types of polymers used in the production of plastic components that need to be coated with a functional coating after production. We will prepare a database that will later (when upgraded beyond TRL 4, i.e., after the completion of this project) enable the development of a smart line for plasma processing of plastic components. The goals will be achieved by experiments that will be performed in an industrial facility available from the industrial partner. The samples will be analyzed and functional properties measured with equipment that is partly available from the industrial partner and partly from the academic partner.

The relevance for S5 is demonstrated by the activities described in the project application. Factories of the Future are among the priority areas of the Slovenian Strategy for Sustainable Smart Specialization. Both project partners have been active members of the Strategic Development and Innovation Partnership “Factories of the Future (SRIP ToP)” since its establishment. The leader of this project was a member of the board of directors of this strategic partnership for 2 terms. The director of the company that is an industrial partner in this project was the first president of SRIP ToP. Plasma technologies are also listed among the key enabling technologies. The project falls directly into plasma technologies, as we will use two types of plasma treatment: one for preparing the surface of polymer materials for the appropriate level of functionalisation and wettability, and the other for applying a protective coating using the plasma polymerization method.

The project is not only tied to the priority area of the Factory of the Future, but also fits into the priority areas of the Network for the Transition to a Circular Economy (product direction Energy Efficiency) and Materials (direction Functional Coatings).