A process for modifying the surface energy of particles, the process comprising: providing a low pressure system having at least one vacuum chamber, and a vacuum pump system; placing a predetermined amount of particles into a process container that has a center axis with the process container or at least one baffle or paddle as a portion of the process container capable of being rotated, moved, or vibrated, such that the particles are stirred or moved; the process container either being the vacuum chamber or a separate container located in and exposed to the vacuum chamber; placing a filter in a position capable of maintaining the particles in the process container; causing the process container or at least one baffle or paddle as a portion of the process container to rotate, move, or vibrate; reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber using the vacuum pump system to an initial pressure that is below atmospheric pressure; allowing at least one primary gas stream to enter the vacuum chamber; the at least one primary gas stream having a variable or pulsed flow rate, wherein the at least one primary gas stream comprises a gas selected from the group of fluorine, nitrogen trifluoride, sulfur hexafluoride, tetrafluoromethane, or hexafluoroethane; increasing the pressure in the low pressure system using the vacuum pump system, changing the flow rate of the primary gas stream, or a combination thereof to establish a working pressure that is different from the initial pressure; exposing the surface of the particles to either the one or more reactive gases or the reactive energetic species generated by the interaction of a plasma with the primary gas stream, thereby, forming energy modified particles having a surface treatment, wherein the particles are separated from the plasma by a distance that is at least 30 mm; venting the vacuum chamber; and collecting the energy modified particles. providing a low pressure system having at least one vacuum chamber, and a vacuum pump system; placing a predetermined amount of particles into a process container that has a center axis with the process container or at least one baffle or paddle as a portion of the process container capable of being rotated, moved, or vibrated, such that the particles are stirred or moved; the process container either being the vacuum chamber or a separate container located in and exposed to the vacuum chamber; placing a filter in a position capable of maintaining the particles in the process container; causing the process container or at least one baffle or paddle as a portion of the process container to rotate, move, or vibrate; reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber using the vacuum pump system to an initial pressure that is below atmospheric pressure; allowing at least one primary gas stream to enter the vacuum chamber; the at least one primary gas stream having a variable or pulsed flow rate, wherein the at least one primary gas stream comprises a gas selected from the group of fluorine, nitrogen trifluoride, sulfur hexafluoride, tetrafluoromethane, or hexafluoroethane; increasing the pressure in the low pressure system using the vacuum pump system, changing the flow rate of the primary gas stream, or a combination thereof to establish a working pressure that is different from the initial pressure; exposing the surface of the particles to either the one or more reactive gases or the reactive energetic species generated by the interaction of a plasma with the primary gas stream, thereby, forming energy modified particles having a surface treatment, wherein the particles are separated from the plasma by a distance that is at least 30 mm; venting the vacuum chamber; and collecting the energy modified particles.