Improve the physical and chemical properties of biocompatible polymer material by MeV He ion beam

There is a high interest in improving the hydrophilicity of polymer surfaces due to their wide use for technological purposes. In this study Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) as a biocompatible material was bombarded with 1 MeV He ions to the fluences ranging from 1×1013 to 5×1014 cm−2. The pristine and ion beam modified samples were investigated by photoluminescence (PL), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The changes of wettability and surface free energy were determined by the contact angle measurements. The obtained results showed that the ion bombardment induced decrease in integrated luminescence intensity and decrease in the transmittance with increase of ion fluence as well. This is might be attributed to degradation of polymer surface and/or creation of new electronic levels in the forbidden gap. The FTIR spectral studies indicate that the ion beam induces chemical modifications within the bombarded UHMWPE. Formation of carbonyl groups (C=O) on the polymer surface was studied. Direct relationship of the wettability and surface free energy of the bombarded polymer with the ion fluences was observed.

► Effect of 1 MeV He-ion bombardment on the surface properties of UHMWPE was studied. ► Change in the surface layer composition of UHMWPE due ion beam has been investigated. ► Ion beam bombardment improves the surface free energy of UHMWPE.