• KSBB Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2002

The surface of polypropylene was modified by 1 keV $Ar^+$ ion beam in an $O_2$ environment in order to enhance wettability. Contact angle of deionized water on modified polypropylene was reduced from $78^{\circ}$to $22^{\circ}$. The enhanced wettability is originated from newly formed functional groups such as ether, carbonyl, and carbonyl groups. During immersion in deionized water, the enhanced wettability has remained nearly same. After washing in water, the hydrophilic functional groups on the polymer surface have been very stable. The modified polypropylene was adopted as bio-film media to remove organics in synthetic wastewater. Microbe adhesion on the polypropylene surface was improved due to the newly formed hydrophilic groups.