Microstructure change in poly(ethersulfone) films by swift heavy ions

PES membrane of thickness 25 microm was irradiated by Cl(9+) ions of energy 100 MeV at IUAC, New Delhi. Microstructure changes due to exposure to high-energy ions were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) absorption spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction technique and by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). A significant loss of crystallinity is observed by the XRD data. Particle size or grain size calculated using Scherrer formula indicates measurable change in particle size of irradiated samples. The polymer chain scissions and structure degradations are expected to occur for irradiated samples. Optical properties of the films were changed due to irradiation that could be clearly seen in the absorption spectra. FTIR does not show the remarkable change in the irradiated samples, but there is some change in the surface roughness observed by AFM.