Properties of $$\text {Ar-H}_{2}$$ Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Aimed for Polymer Surface Modification

In this work, we investigated the properties of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) generated using a $$\mathrm {Ar-H_2}$$ gas mixture. For this purpose, electrical, thermal, and optical characterization were employed to obtain discharge power and current, gas temperature ($$T_g$$), rotational and vibrational temperatures ($$T_r$$ and $$T_v$$, respectively), electron density ($$n_e$$), and chemical species formed in the gas phase of the plasma jet. All parameters were analyzed as a function of the $$\mathrm {H_2}$$ content in the gas mixture, for two different kinds of targets (a conductor and an insulator). Notably, large differences in discharge power, $$T_g$$, $$T_r$$, $$T_v$$ and $$n_e$$ were found with and without $$\mathrm {H_2}$$ in the gas composition. Additionally, as an example for the $$\mathrm {Ar-H_2}$$ gas mixture application, surface modification of a polymer was performed. As a result of the $$\mathrm {H_2}$$ addition, there was a slight improvement in the polymer surface composition compared to the condition without hydrogen.