Surface analysis of curved polymeric plates irradiated with proton and ion beams

We explored surface characteristics of polycarbonate substrates which were subjected to proton and nitrogen ion beams. Curved plates designed for a plastic window of a cell phone were fabricated using injection molding, and the process was simulated numerically. Different energy densities of proton and nitrogen ion beams were applied in this study. The physical and chemical properties of the samples were evaluated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nanoindentation, residual stress, and electrical analyses. Results revealed that the irradiation of proton and nitrogen ion beams led to changes in the chemical structures and energy levels of the polymer molecules. Furthermore, physical properties, such as hardness, glass transition temperature, transmittance, and electrical conductivity, were remarkably varied.