MORPHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ACCELERATED LEAD IONS ON POLYVINYLCHLORIDE

Abstract

The present study was aimed to correlate the surface differences on the PVC samples for their stability. The morphological changes on the surface of polyvinylchloride (PVC) were studied by increasing the applied potential of the lead ions. The lead target was exposed by a pulsed Nd: YAG laser under low vacuum ~10-3 Torr. Samples of PVC were irradiated with accelerated Lead ions at 0 Volts, 100 Volts and 300 Volts. After irradiation, the results were investigated using Transmission optical microscope (Motic DMB series) for morphological changes in polymeric samples. The morphology showed the dominant and enhancing features of chain formation and cross linking with increase of potential. At lower potential i.e., 100V, the thermal sputtering, crater formation and cracking of surface was observed while at higher potential of 300V, energetic ions burnt the surface and ions were dragged far away on the surface. Cluster formation was also observed at this potential.