Modifications induced in poly (3-hexylthiophene) due to swift heavy ion beam of 100 MeV silver (Ag8+)

Highlights: ► Pristine samples of poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) samples were irradiated with 100 MeV silver (Ag8+) ions at fluences ranging from 1010 to 1012 ions cm−2. ► The significant changes in FT-IR spectra, dc conductivity, and surface morphology observed in P3HT samples exposed to Ag8+ ion fluence of 1012 ions cm−2 suggest the liberation of molecular fragments due to ion impact. ► The emission of gases during RGA suggests the probability of fragmentation of alkyl side chains rather than the breaking of thiophene ring. ► The obtained polymers can be applied as microstructures with defined conductivity for sensor applications. - Abstract: Pristine poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) samples were irradiated by 100 MeV silver (Ag8+) ion at fluences ranging from 1010 to 1012 ions cm−2. The modification in the structure of P3HT is explained in the light of a comparative study of samples before and after irradiation by using various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), residual gas analysis (RGA) and dc conductivity. Significant changes in FT-IR spectra and surface morphologies of irradiated samples have been observed at the ion fluence of 1012 ions cm−2. Changes in FTIR spectra, conductivity and surface morphology of the irradiated samples are further explained by RGA investigations. The obtained micropatterned polymers can be applied as microstructures with defined conductivity for sensor applications.