High-energy C+ ion-irradiated low-density polyethylene (LDPE): Spectroscopic and morphological investigation

The optical absorption spectra of 3.6 MeV 12C ions irradiated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) show the gradual increase in the optical absorption and the shift from the near UV to the visible region with increase in ion fluence. The increase in absorption may be attributed to the generation of a conjugated system of bonds, which are also corroborated by FTIR. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies reveal that the formation of linear network structure occurred at relatively lower ion fluence of 5×1013 ions/cm2.