Plasma Polymerization of Vegetable Oils onto Paper Substrates of Varying Porosity for Improved Hydrophobicity

Abstract Paper finishing, in particular, coating paper with desired barrier functions is well‐developed as of today. However, due to large amounts of material and process energy as well as the use of non‐renewable resources for such coatings, common technologies are not sustainable. Given the increasing importance of paper in manifold applications, more sustainable routes with low‐energy processes as well as biogenic material alternatives are highly needed. To address this challenge, a solvent‐free and material‐efficient approach is proposed to bio‐based paper coatings by depositing chia oil‐based plasma polymers using a jet‐induced sliding discharge concept at atmospheric pressure. Depending on the amount of coating and the paper porosity, this treatment retards water absorption. Coating visualization is enabled through confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Like chia oil, safflower oil, and olive oil show the ability to hydrophobize paper and the great potential within plasma polymerized vegetable oils to make the paper coating more sustainable.