Surface modification and metallization of polycarbonate using low energy ion beam

• The low energy argon ion is used for irradiation polycarbonate samples.
• The surface roughness increase from 9 µm to 23.5 µm after argon ion irradiated.
• Copper films are deposited onto polycarbonate (PC) substrates.
• Energy band gap decreases from 3.45 eV for pristine to 1.7 eV for copper thin film.

The low energy argon ion is used for irradiation polycarbonate samples using cold cathode ion source. The surface of the PC substrates is examined using SEM, UV-spectroscopy and FTIR. It was found that the energy band gap decrease by increase argon ion fluence. Copper films are deposited onto polycarbonate (PC) substrates after irradiation by argon ion beam. The structure, surface morphology and the optical band gap are investigated using XRD, SEM and UV spectroscopy. It can be seen that the intensity increases with deposition time and band gap decreases from 3.45 eV for the pristine PC to ∼1.7 eV for copper thin film.