Investigation of the effect of mass percentage concentration of polystyrene–toluene solution on the surface properties of the plasma‐treated polystyrene thin films

Abstract Polystyrene (PS) finds diverse applications across various fields, often necessitating a hydrophilic PS surface. In this study, the PS films were prepared using PS–toluene solutions of 15, 20, and 25 mass percentage concentrations (% w/v). Here, the main focus is on the influence of concentration on the hydrophilization of the prepared PS thin films under atmospheric pressure air dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment. The contact angle, surface energy measurements, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis were conducted to evaluate the PS surface properties. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the significant role of concentration in altering surface properties; the lower concentration of PS films leads to the most hydrophilic surface. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirms an increase in the OH functional group on the PS surface. atomic force microscopy analysis reveals needle‐shaped surface morphology, increased roughness and an expanded effective surface area. Surface energy analysis confirms an increase in the polar sector of surface energy. Overall, the findings from this research underscore the increase in film hydrophilicity with a decrease in PS–toluene concentration. Highlights Polystyrene (PS)–toluene solutions with different concentrations were prepared. PS–toluene films were spin‐coated and were been treated with dielectric barrier discharge plasma. The contact angle, surface energy measurements, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis were conducted. PS films with lower concentration have more impact from plasma treatment. Concentration, impact the hydrophilicity and roughness of treated PS films.