Abstract
At present, modifying the properties of polymeric materials due to their wide use for high technology applications is strongly required. Polyethylene (PE) samples were treated with 9 MeV Cl ions to the fluences ranging from 1 × 1013 to 5 × 1014 cm−2. Photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and UV–vis spectroscopy techniques were used to study the untreated and treated samples. The obtained results exhibited minimize in integrated luminescence intensity with the increase of ion fluence. This decrease is attributed to formation of defects in treated samples. FTIR spectral studies indicate that the ion beam induces compositional transformation within the treated samples. The UV measurements show a shift towards the visible region and an increase in the optical absorption for all bombarded samples. This change may be referred to damage of polymer surface and/or formation of CC– bonds, which decreases the band gap energy and Urbach's energy of treated samples.
•Influence of high energy ion on the surface properties of polyethylene was studied.•Remarkable variation in photoluminescence behavior was investigated.•Chemical composition changes in the polymeric material after ion bombardment was observed.•Enhancement of the optical properties of polyethylene was noticed.•Ion bombardment can be utilized to manufacture thin conductive surface over insulator material.