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Formation of nanocrystalline and amorphous carbon by high fluence swift heavy ion irradiation of a plasma polymerized polyterpenol thin film precursor
Author(s) -
Grant Daniel S.,
Siegele Rainer,
Bazaka Kateryna,
Jacob Mohan V.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.46498
Subject(s) - materials science , swift heavy ion , thin film , nanocomposite , raman spectroscopy , carbon film , chemical engineering , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , fluence , amorphous solid , nanocrystalline material , scanning electron microscope , polymer , nanotechnology , composite material , ion , chemistry , organic chemistry , physics , engineering , optics
This study aimed to produce graphitic‐polymer nanocomposite thin films via the swift heavy ion irradiation of polyterpenol thin films synthesized from an environmentally sustainable precursor by radio‐frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed fluence‐dependent surface restructuring of the thin films leading to the formation of interconnected island structures, with no discernible delamination from the underlying aluminum substrate. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the development of D and G peaks associated with graphitic materials, whilst Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated retention of the plasma polymer's chemical functionalities (including hydroxyl groups) within the material after irradiation. Graphitic‐polymer nanocomposite films prepared by this dry and solvent‐free process have numerous potential applications in biological assay, organic electronics, and membrane technology. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 46498.