Modifications in physico-chemical properties of 100MeV oxygen ions irradiated polyimide Kapton-H polymer

The optical, structural and chemical properties of polyimide Kapton-H polymer thin film samples were modified by irradiation with 100 MeV O⁷⁺ ions (in the fluence range of 1 × 10¹¹ to 5 × 10¹² ions/cm²) and the modifications of these properties were observed by UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy respectively. The band gap energy of the polymer decreased considerably with discrete increment of the ion fluence (different fluence for each sample) and effective change for the sample irradiated at a fluence of 5 × 10¹² ions/cm² was observed from that of pristine sample. The amorphous nature of the polymer was observed to be decreased with increase of ion fluence. The vibrations of CC appeared at mid fluences but the stretching vibrations of OH bond disappeared at these fluences due to the high LET of the oxygen ions.