Influence of low-energy Argon ions on thermal and surface properties of polycarbonate films

ABSTRACT

Low-energy Argon ions from electron cyclotron resonance ion source were bombarded on polycarbonate films. The interaction of ions with the surface of the material was studied by using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis and atomic force microscopy. The study reveals that the surface roughness of the films increases with the modification of the surface morphology induced by ion irradiation. Thermal decomposition zone of irradiated samples has extended and hence thermal stability has also improved. Changes in the structural parameters and functional groups were observed after irradiation. These ion-induced changes and their significance were discussed in this paper.

KEYWORDS:

• Ion irradiation
• PC films
• surface morphology
• thermal stability

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support extended by the scientific personnel of ECR Section, VECC, Kolkata during the course of this work. The authors thank authorities of USIC Mangalore University for extending characterization facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was carried out under the financial support of DAE-BRNS [grant number 34/14/73/2014-BRNS/10493 dated 17.06.2015].