Charge Storage Capability of Laser Ablated Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Film

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) films were irradiated by ultraviolet laser with a subsequent electrification by corona discharging. Surface potential and surface morphology of samples were measured and analyzed. A significant increase of surface potential resulted from the samples irradiated of about 15 pulses. From SEM pictures, melted ripple tips were observed on the film surface and some of them were fused together. This surface layer may probably enhance the surface potential of the samples. This result suggests the possibility of enhancing the charge storage capability of polymeric electret by altering their surface morphology.