Studies on the optical band gap and cluster size of the polyaniline thin films irradiated with swift heavy Si ions

Polyaniline thin films prepared by RF plasma polymerisation were irradiated with 92 MeV Si ions for various fluences of 1×1011, 1×1012 and 1×1013 ions/cm2. FTIR and UV–vis–NIR measurements were carried out on the pristine and Si ion irradiated polyaniline thin films for structural evaluation and optical band gap determination. The effect of swift heavy ions on the structural and optical properties of plasma-polymerised aniline thin film is investigated. Their properties are compared with that of the pristine sample. The FTIR spectrum indicates that the structure of the irradiated sample is altered. The optical studies show that the band gap of irradiated thin film has been considerably modified. This has been attributed to the rearrangement in the ring structure and the formation of CC terminals. This results in extended conjugated structure causing reduction in optical band gap.