Comparative study on low energy ion beam modification of thermoplastic polymers

ABSTRACTPolycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) thermoplastic polymer films were irradiated by low energy ion beams such as 100 keV Hydrogen (H+) ions and 350 keV Nitrogen (N+) ions at varied fluence from 1 × 1013 ions/cm2 to 5 × 1014 ions/cm2. The depth profile concentration of ions was calculated using Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) software code. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technique shows decrement in the intensity of peaks and disappearance of peaks mainly related to carbonyl stretching at 1770 cm−1 and C–C stretching at 1500 cm−1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of irradiated polymers showed the formation of pores. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis has showed decrease in the intensity indicating the decrease in crystallinity after irradiation. Mechanical studies revealed that the molecular weight and microhardness decrease with increase in ion fluence due to increase in chain scission. The contact angle increased with increase in ion fluence indicating the hydrop...