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Neutron-induced modifications on Hostaphan and Makrofol wettability and etching behaviors
- Source :
- Radiation Physics and Chemistry. 133:9-20
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2017.
-
Abstract
- Understanding the nature of polymers used as nuclear detectors is crucial to enhance their behaviors. In this work, the induced modifications in wettability and etching properties of Hostaphan and Makrofol polymers irradiated by different fluences of thermal neutrons are investigated. The wetting properties are studied by contact angle technique which showed the spread out of various liquids over the irradiated polymers surfaces (wettability enhanced). This wetting behavior is attributed to the induced changes in surface free energy (SFE), morphology, roughness, structure, hardness, and chemistry. SFE values are calculated by three different models and found to increase after neutrons irradiation associated with differences depending on the used model. These differences result from the intermolecular interactions in the liquid/polymer system. Surface morphology and roughness of both polymers showed drastic changes after irradiation. Additionally, surface structure and hardness of pristine and irradiated polymers were discussed and correlated to the surface wettability improvements. The changes in surface chemistry are examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which indicate an increase in surface polarity due to the formation of polar groups. The irradiated polymers etching characteristics and activation energies are discussed as well. Lastly, it is evident that thermal neutrons show efficiency in improving surface wettability and etching properties of Hostaphan and Makrofol in a controlled way.
- Subjects :
- 010302 applied physics
chemistry.chemical_classification
Radiation
Chemistry
Nanotechnology
02 engineering and technology
Polymer
Surface finish
021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology
01 natural sciences
Isotropic etching
Surface energy
Contact angle
Chemical engineering
Etching (microfabrication)
0103 physical sciences
Wetting
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
0210 nano-technology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 0969806X
- Volume :
- 133
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Radiation Physics and Chemistry
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........702dd258d51cd70178f2071e5e021911