IR laser ablative desulfurization of poly(1,4-phenylene sulfide)

Pulsed infrared laser-induced ablation (PLAD) of poly(1,4-phenylene sulfide) (PPS) results in the extrusion of sulfur and deposition of thin films that are a blend of initial PPS and sulfur-polyaromatic polymer composite. The process is demonstrated to differ from the conventional heating which leads to a solid material with S content and bonding similar to those in PPS. The PLAD of PPS thus represents a unique example of the desulfurization of S-containing polyaromatic materials.