Irradiation effect on PET surface using low energy argon ion beam

A study of various physical properties of a PET film irradiated with an Ar beam is reported. SEM images and UV–VIS and FTIR spectra were obtained for a number of ionic fluxes and three irradiation times. Small changes in the energy gap of degradated samples were found, and the SEM images indicate that the optimum homogeneity and roughness are reached after 30 min of irradiation. These results may well be of practical interest. A modified saddle field ion source was used as a preparation tool of the surface of polyethylene terephthalate PET polymer substrate to be ready for coating or thin film deposition. Argon ion beam was used for this purpose, where the scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that, the best sample is the one which was irradiated to 30 min, where this sample is more homogenous and roughness than other irradiated samples. Also the (UV–VIS) spectrum tells us that, there is small change on energy gap and this is meaning that, the change on electric properties is small also. In this case the sample is more homogenous and of higher roughness than other irradiated samples.