Electron beam induced surface modifications of PET film

• Low energy electrons are used to alter PET polymer surface hydrophobic nature.
• Wettability is improved by controlling surface roughness and functional groups.
• Surface roughness is found to increase surface energy which enhances wettability.
• Improvement of surface free energy of PET polymer is investigated.

The semi-crystalline poly (ethylene terephthalate) PET film was treated by low energy electrons with different fluences and the surface wettability modification is investigated. Contact angle technique is employed to prove PET surface wettability enhancement. The contact angle decreases due to alteration of surface chemistry, morphology and free energy after electrons irradiation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) shows the creation of polar groups on the surface which are responsible for surface wettability improvement. Atomic force microscope (AFM) observations reveal that the surface roughness changes after electrons–PET interactions. Surface free energy analysis has been observed as well. Low energy electrons irradiation of PET film improves and controls its wettability, adhesion and then biocompatibility.