Tailoring surface properties of polymeric blend material by ion beam bombardment

Effect of Ar ion on the surface properties of low density polyethylene

In this paper, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was irradiated by argon ion with different fluences up to 10(15) ions/cm(2). The optical, chemical and hardness properties have been investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and micro-indentation tester, respectively. The results showed the ion beam bombardment induced decreases in the transmittance of the irradiated polymer samples. This change in transmittance can be attributed to the formation of conjugated bonds i.e. possible formation of defects and/or carbon clusters. The indirect optical band gap decreased from 3.0 eV for the pristine sample to 2.3 eV for that sample irradiated with the highest fluence of the Ar ion beam. Furthermore, the number of carbon atoms and clusters increased with increasing Ar ion fluences. FTIR spectra showed the formation of new bands of the bombarded polymer samples. Furthermore, polar groups were created on the surface of the irradiated samples which refer to the increase of the hydrophilic nature of the surface of the irradiated samples. The Vicker's hardness increased from 4.9 MPa for the pristine sample to 17.9 MPa for those bombarded at the highest fluence. This increase is attributed to the increase in the crosslinking and alterations of the bombarded surface into hydrogenated amorphous carbon, which improves the hardness of the irradiated samples. The bombarded LDPE surfaces may be used in special applications to the field of the micro-electronic devices and shock absorbers.

The optical, wettability and hardness properties of polyethylene improved by alpha particle irradiations

In this work, the optical, chemical and morphological changes of alpha irradiated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were investigated using UV/Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition to, the wettability and Vicker's Micro-Hardness have been studied using the contact angle measurements and Vicker's Micro-Hardness tester. The polymer samples are irradiated with different times of alpha particles. UV/Vis spectra show that the absorbance increases with increase in the irradiation time and the absorption edge shifts toward the higher wavelength. This indicates to a decrease in the optical band gap energy and an increase in number of carbon clusters. FTIR analysis reveals that the formation of CH groups and O-H has been observed and also indicated the presence of unsaturations due to vinyl end groups in the irradiated samples. Noticeable decreases in the contact angle of irradiated samples were observed. This decrease reflects the increase in the wettability and consequently the surface free energy. This behavior is due to the formation of oxidized layer on the irradiated surface polymer. Induced increasing in the Vicker's hardness in the irradiated polymers was observed, that can be attributed to crosslinking effects in the chain of the polymers.