Changes in structural and conducting characteristics of zinc nanotubes by bombardment with Xe<Superscript>+22</Superscript> heavy ions

Results of targeted modification of the structure and properties of ordered arrays of zinc nanotubes (Zn NTs) by accelerated Xe⁺²² heavy ions with a fluence of 1 × 10⁹ to 5 × 10¹¹ cm^–2 in the energy range of 1.0–1.75 MeV/nucleon are reported. Dynamics of changes in the crystallite shape and orientation of Zn NTs before and after irradiation has been studied by X-ray diffraction. It has been shown that irradiation with accelerated ions has a significant effect on the texture coefficients of Zn NTs. In addition, at a fluence of 1 × 10¹¹ m^–2 or higher, the formation of loose areas in the structure of Zn NTs as a result of partial degradation of the crystal structure and, consequently, a decline in conductivity are observed.     

Changes in the structure and conducting properties of copper nanotubes as a result of bombardment with O<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions

The results of targeted modification of the structure and properties of copper nanotubes by accelerated O³⁺ ions at a fluence of 1 × 10⁹ to 5 × 10¹¹ cm^?2 with an energy of 1.75 MeV/nucleon are reported. XHray diffraction methods have been used to study the dynamics of changes in the crystallite shape, dislocation density, and the orientation of copper nanotubes before and after irradiation. It has been shown that irradiation with accelerated ions has a significant effect on the change in texture coefficients and dislocation density. At a fluence of 1 × 10¹⁰ cm^?2 or higher, the accumulation of oxygen in the nanotube structure is observed, which leads to the appearance of oxide compounds.     

A comparison of modifications induced by Li<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Ag<Superscript>8+</Superscript> ion beams irradiation in poly(lactide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-glycolide) films

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) films were irradiated by 180 MeV/amu Ag⁸⁺ ions and 50 MeV/amu Li³⁺ ions at different fluences of 5 × 10¹⁰, 5 × 10¹¹ and 1 × 10¹² ions/cm². Modifications of polymer films induced by the swift heavy ions (SHI) irradiation were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The dominant effect of the SHI beam irradiation is proposed to be chain scission which leads to breakage of polymer chains, followed by hydrogen abstraction. The results from FTIR spectroscopy showed that the intensity of all peaks of the irradiated samples decreased at high fluence of SHI, suggesting PLGA samples significantly degraded at high SHI fluence. The variation in optical band gap energy and Urbach energy with increasing fluence was calculated from UV–Vis spectroscopy and explained in terms of changes occurring in the polymer matrix. X-ray diffraction patterns also show appreciable changes in PLGA at high fluence. FESEM results revealed that the hydrophilicity of the PLGA surface increased with an increase in ion fluence. In this paper the optical, chemical and structural changes with different fluence rates are discussed.     

Opto-structural characterization of proton (3 MeV) irradiated polycarbonate and polystyrene

Polycarbonate (Makrofol-N) and polystyrene thin films were irradiated with protons (3 MeV) under vacuum at room temperature with the fluence ranging from 1×10¹⁴ to 1×10¹⁵ protons cm⁻². The change in optical properties, degradation of the functional groups and crystallinity of the proton-irradiated polymers were investigated with UV–vis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, respectively. The UV–vis analysis revealed that the optical band gap of irradiated Makrofol-N is reduced by 30% as compared to 27.5% in polystyrene at highest fluence of 1×10¹⁵ protons cm⁻², owing to higher electronic energy loss of protons in Makrofol-N. The calculations of the number of carbon atoms per conjugation length, N and number of carbon atoms per clusters, M embedded in the network of polymers further revealed that Makrofol-N is more modified as compared to polystyrene on proton irradiation. FTIR results reveal the reduction in absorption intensity of the main characteristic bands of both the polymers after irradiation. The proton-irradiated Makrofol-N shows a strong decrease of almost all of its characteristic absorption bands at about 1×10¹⁴ protons cm⁻². Beyond a critical dose an increase of almost all its characteristic bands are noticed, however, no such effect had been observed in polystyrene at this particular fluence. Appearance of new –OH groups was observed at the higher fluences in the FTIR spectra of both proton-irradiated polymers. XRD measurements show the decrease of the main peak intensity and the crystallite size, confirming the increase of amorphization in polymers under irradiation.     

Carbon ion beam induced modifications of optical,structural and chemical properties in PADC and PET polymers

We report a study on the carbon ion beam induced modifications on optical, structural and chemical properties of polyallyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) commercially named as CR-39 and Polyethyleneterepthalate (PET) polymer films. These films were then irradiated by 55 MeV C⁵⁺ ion beam at various fluences ranging from 1×10¹¹ to 1×10¹³ ions/cm². The pristine as well as irradiated samples were subjected to UV–Visible spectral study (UV–Vis), Photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It has been found that ion irradiation may induce a sort of defects in the polymers due to chain scission and cross linking as observed from PL spectral study. It is revealed from UV–Vis spectra absorption edge shifted towards longer wavelength region after irradiation with increasing ion fluence. This shift clearly reflects decrease in optical band gap. The XRD study indicates the gradual decrease in intensity in case of PADC with increasing ion fluence. However, the intensity pattern increased in case of PET at fluence of 10¹¹ ion/cm² then decreased with further increase in fluence. Crystalline size of PADC was found to be decreasing gradually with increase of ion fluence. Whereas, the crystalline size of PET films found to increase with lower fluence and decreases with higher ion fluence. FTIR spectrum also shows the change in intensity of the typical bands after irradiation in the both the polymers. The results so obtained can be used successfully in heavy ions dosimetry using well reported techniques.     

Microstructural modifications in swift ion irradiated PET

Polyethylene terephthalte (PET) was irradiated with carbon (70 MeV) and copper (120 MeV) ions to analyze the induced modifications with respect to optical, structural and thermal properties. In the present investigation, the fluence for carbon irradiation was varied from 1×10¹¹ to 1×10¹⁴ ions cm⁻², while that for copper beam was kept in the range of 1×10¹¹ to 1×10¹³ ions cm⁻². UV–vis, FTIR, XRD and DSC techniques were utilized to study the induced changes. The analysis of UV–vis absorption studies reveals that there is decrease of optical energy gap up to 10% on carbon ion irradiation (at 1×10¹⁴ ions cm⁻²), whereas the copper beam (at 1×10¹³ ions cm⁻²) leads to a decrease of 49%. FTIR analysis indicated the formation of alkyne end groups along with the overall degradation of polymer with copper ion irradiation. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the semi-crystalline PET losses its crystallinity on swift ion irradiation. It was found that the carbon beam (1×10¹⁴ ions cm⁻²) decreased the crystallite size by 16% whereas this decrease is of 12% in case of the copper ion irradiated PET at 1×10¹³ ions cm⁻². The loss in crystallinity on irradiation has been supported by DSC thermograms.     

Dielectric and conductivity studies of 90 MeV O7+ ion irradiated poly(ethylene oxide)/montmorillonite based ion conductor

In the present work effect of 90 MeV O⁷⁺ ions with five different fluences on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/Na⁺-montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites has been investigated. PEO/MMT nanocomposites were synthesized by solution intercalation technique. With the increase in irradiation fluence, gallery spacing of MMT increases in the composite and an exfoliated nanostructure is obtained at the fluence of 5?×?10¹² ions/cm² as revealed by X-ray diffraction results. Highest room temperature ionic conductivity of 4.2?×?10^?6?S?cm^?1 was found for the fluence 5?×?10¹² ions/cm², while the conductivity for unirradiated polymer electrolyte was found to be 7.5?×?10^-8?S?cm^?1. The increase in intercalation of PEO chains inside the galleries of MMT results in the increase in interaction between Na⁺ cation and oxygen heteroatom leading to the increase in ionic conductivity of the composites. Surface morphology and interactions among the various constituents in the nanocomposites at different fluence have been examined by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The appearance of peak for each fluence in the loss tangent suggests the presence of relaxing dipoles in the polymer nanocomposite electrolyte films. With the increase in ion fluence the peak shifts towards higher frequency side, suggesting decrease in the relaxation time.     

Investigation of O7+ swift heavy ion irradiation on molybdenum doped indium oxide thin films

Molybdenum (0.5 at%) doped indium oxide thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis technique were irradiated by 100 MeV O⁷⁺ ions with different fluences of 5×10¹¹, 1×10¹² and 1×10¹³ ions/cm². Intensity of (222) peak of the pristine film was decreased with increase in the ion fluence. Films irradiated with the maximum ion fluence of 1×10¹³ ions/cm² showed a fraction of amorphous nature. The surface microstructures on the surface of the film showed that increase in ion fluence decreases the grain size. Mobility of the pristine molybdenum doped indium oxide films was decreased from ～122 to 48 cm²/V s with increasing ion fluence. Among the irradiated films the film irradiated with the ion fluence of 5×10¹¹ ions/cm² showed relatively low resistivity of 6.7×10^?4 Ω cm with the mobility of 75 cm²/V s. The average transmittance of the as-deposited IMO film is decreased from 89% to 81% due to irradiation with the fluence of 5×10¹¹ ions/cm².     

Evolution of microstructure and crack pattern in NiO thin films under 200 MeV Au ion irradiation

NiO thin films grown on Si (100) substrate by electron beam evaporation method and sintered at 700 °C were irradiated with 200 MeV Au¹⁵⁺ ions. The fcc structure of the sintered films was retained up to the highest fluence (1×10¹³ ions cm^?2) of irradiation. However the microstructure of the pristine film underwent a considerable modification with increasing ion fluence. 200 MeV Au ion irradiation led to compressive stress generation in NiO medium. The diameter of the stressed region created by 200 MeV Au ions along the ion path was estimated from the variation of stress with ion fluence and found to be ～11.6 nm. The film surface started cracking when irradiated at and above the fluence of 3×10¹² ions cm^?2. Ratio of the fractal dimension of the cracked surface obtained at 200 MeV and 120 MeV (Mallick et al., 2010a) Au ions was compared with the ratio of the radii of ion tracks calculated based on Coulomb explosion and thermal spike models. This comparison indicated applicability of thermal spike model for crack formation.     

Reactor neutrons irradiation effect on the photocatalytic activity of SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films

SnO₂ thin films synthesized by sol-gel are irradiated with reactor neutrons up to fast neutron fluence of 9.6 × 10¹⁷ neutrons cm^–2 at 40°C. The influence of defects generated by neutrons irradiation, through the properties modification, on the photo-catalytic activity of SnO₂ films is investigated. It is found that the photoactivity of the irradiated films is enhanced after reactor neutrons irradiation. An improvement of 41% is observed for the sample irradiated at a neutron fluence of 9.6 × 10¹⁷ neutrons cm^–2. This is attributed to several parameters modified by the reactor neutron irradiation principally the crystallite size and space charge region which are closely related to the photocatalytic performance.     

Structural modifications of swift heavy ion irradiated PEN probed by optical and thermal measurements

The effects of swift heavy ion irradiation on the structural characteristics of Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) were studied. Samples were irradiated in vacuum at room temperature by lithium (50 MeV), carbon (85 MeV), nickel (120 MeV) and silver (120 MeV) ions with the fluence in the range of 1×10¹¹–3×10¹²  ions cm⁻². Ion induced changes were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra red (FT-IR), UV–visible spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Cross-linking was observed at lower doses resulting in modification of structural properties, however higher doses lead to the degradation of the investigated polymeric samples.     

Investigation of 500 keV Si ion induced surface structuring of Ni and Ti for enhancement of field emission properties

The present paper reports the investigation of surface morphology, elemental composition, phase changes and field emission properties of Si ion irradiated nickel (Ni) and titanium (Ti). The Ni and Ti targets have been irradiated with 500 keV Si ions generated by Pelletron accelerator at various fluences ranging from 6.9 × 10¹³ to 77.1 × 10¹³ ions/cm². Stopping range of ions in matter analysis revealed higher values of electronic stopping and sputtering yield for Ni as compared with Ti. For both irradiated metals, electronic energy loss dominant over the nuclear stopping. The growth of induced surface structures have been analysed by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis. In case of Ni, as the ion fluence increases from 6.9 × 10¹³ to 65.8 × 10¹³ ions/cm², the formation of spherical particulates, agglomers and sputtering is observed. Although in the case of Ti, with the increase of Si ion fluence from 11.6 × 10¹³ to 77.1 × 10¹³ ions/cm², the formation of irregular-shaped particulates along with crater and sputtered channels is observed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that no new phase is identified. However, a significant increase in peak intensity is observed with increasing ion fluence. The variation in crystallite size and dislocation line density is also observed as a function of Si ion fluence. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis shows that no bands are formed after the Si ion irradiation. Field emission properties of ion-structured Ni and Ti are well correlated with the growth of surface structures observed by SEM and dislocation line density evaluated by XRD analysis.     

Improve the physical and chemical properties of biocompatible polymer material by MeV He ion beam

There is a high interest in improving the hydrophilicity of polymer surfaces due to their wide use for technological purposes. In this study Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) as a biocompatible material was bombarded with 1 MeV He ions to the fluences ranging from 1×10¹³ to 5×10¹⁴ cm^?2. The pristine and ion beam modified samples were investigated by photoluminescence (PL), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The changes of wettability and surface free energy were determined by the contact angle measurements. The obtained results showed that the ion bombardment induced decrease in integrated luminescence intensity and decrease in the transmittance with increase of ion fluence as well. This is might be attributed to degradation of polymer surface and/or creation of new electronic levels in the forbidden gap. The FTIR spectral studies indicate that the ion beam induces chemical modifications within the bombarded UHMWPE. Formation of carbonyl groups (C=O) on the polymer surface was studied. Direct relationship of the wettability and surface free energy of the bombarded polymer with the ion fluences was observed.     

Effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on ethylene–chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer

The swift heavy irradiation induced changes taking place in ethylene–chlorotrifluoroethylene (E–CTFE) copolymer films were investigated in correlation with the applied doses. Samples were irradiated in vacuum at room temperature by lithium (50 MeV), carbon (85 MeV), nickel (120 MeV) and silver (120 MeV) ions with the fluence in the range of 1×10¹¹–3×10¹² ions cm^?2. Structural and thermal properties of the irradiated as well as pristine E–CTFE films were studied using FTIR, UV–visible, TGA, DSC and XRD techniques. Swift heavy ion irradiation was found to induce changes in E–CTFE depending upon the applied doses.     

Effect of 120 MeV Au9+ ion irradiation on the structure and surface morphology of ZnO/NiO heterojunction

ZnO/NiO thin films, each of thickness 100 nm, were deposited on Si(100) substrate by pulsed laser deposition method. The resulting heterojunction, ZnO/NiO/Si, was irradiated by 120 MeV Au⁹⁺ ions and characterized by grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXRD), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The GIXRD confirmed the presence of both NiO and ZnO in the samples. Ion irradiation induced suppression of crystalline nature, and the recrystallization of the same occurred at the fluence of 1 × 10¹³ ions cm⁻². The occurrence of most intense band at 302 cm⁻¹ in Raman spectra corresponds to the symmetric stretching vibration of ZnO. The linear shift of stretching mode of ZnO with ion fluence could be associated with the effect of compressive stress in the material. AFM analysis of the films indicated that the rms roughness increased when the film is irradiated at a fluence of 1 × 10¹² ions cm⁻². Beyond this fluence, the value of roughness decreased up to fluence of 1 × 10¹³ ions cm⁻² and increased thereafter. To see the effect of the stress of buffer layer on the surface layer, we calculated the stress for NiO layer with ion fluence form the lattice parameter. Comparing the stress of buffer layer with roughness of surface layer at the given fluence, we can say that the compressive stress in the buffer layer could possibly control the roughness of the surface layer.     

Micropatterning of proteins on ion beam‐induced poly(acrylic acid)‐grafted polyethylene film

Micropatterns of proteins were created by using patterned ion beam irradiation onto a polyethylene film and graft polymerization of acrylic acid. Acrylic acid was selectively graft polymerized on the irradiated regions. The results of the grafting study revealed that the optimum fluence to achieve the maximum grafting degree was 1 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm². Biotin was covalently immobilized on the grafted regions of the polyethylene film. Protein patterning was achieved through specific binding of biotin and streptavidin. The resolved protein patterns with the maximum fluorescence intensity were achieved on the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)‐grafted polyethylene films prepared at the fluence of 1 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm². This method can be used for patterning of various biomolecules and for further biological applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Proton (3 MeV) and copper (120 MeV) ion irradiation effects in low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was irradiated with proton (3 MeV) and copper (120 MeV) ions to analyze the induced modifications with respect to optical and structural properties. In the present investigation, the fluence for proton irradiation was varied up to 2×10¹⁵ protons cm⁻², while that for copper beam was kept in the range of 1×10¹ to 1×10¹³ ions cm⁻² to study the swift heavy ion-induced modifications in LDPE. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), FTIR and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were utilized to study the induced changes. The analysis of UV–vis absorption studies reveals that there is decrease of optical energy gap up to 43% on proton irradiation (at 2×10¹⁵ ions cm⁻²), whereas the copper beam (at 1×10¹³ ions cm⁻²) leads to a decrease of 51%. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of unsaturations due to vinyl end groups in the irradiated sample. The formation of OH and CO groups has also been observed. XRD analysis revealed that the semi-crystalline LDPE losses its crystallinity on swift ion irradiation. It was found that the proton beam (2×10¹⁵ ions cm⁻²) decreased the crystallite size by 23% whereas this decrease is of 31% in case of the copper ion-irradiated LDPE at 1×10¹³ ions cm⁻².     

Radiation Stability of Copper Films under Irradiation with He<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Ions

The effect of irradiation of copper films with low-energy He²⁺ ions on their structural properties has been studied. The surface morphology and structural properties of the samples before and after irradiation have been examined by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Bombardment of the initial samples with He²⁺ ions at a fluence of 1 × 10¹⁶ion/cm² alters the surface morphology of copper films and leads to the formation of nanoscale inclusions of hexagonal shape. An increase in the fluence to 1 × 10¹⁷ ion/cm² and higher results in the formation of cracks and amorphous oxide inclusions on the sample surface.     

Comparison of the In Vivo Photodynamic Threshold Dose for Photofrin, Mono- and Tetrasulfonated Aluminum Phthalocyanine Using a Rat Liver Model

The photodynamic threshold dose in normal rat liver was determined from the measured depth of necrosis following surface irradiation. The threshold was determined for the photosensitizing drugs Photofrin and monosulfo-nated aluminum chlorophthalocyanine, AIPcS₁, at 24 h postinjection and was found to be (3.4 ×/÷ 1.3) × 10¹⁸ (8.2 ×/÷ 1.5) × 10¹⁸photons cm^-3, respectively, compared with the previously reported value of (38 ± 2) × 10¹⁸photons cm^-3for the tri/tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine, AlPcS₄. These values were independent of drug concentration or total light fluence. For all three drugs the depth of tissue necrosis decreased as the time between drug and light administration increased from 10 min to 72 h. This decrease can be attributed both to the change in the tissue drug concentration as well as to changes in the efficiency of photodynamic therapy for producing tissue damage, related to the photodynamic necrosis threshold. 1'he threshold values for all three photosensitizers were lowest at 10 min post injection: (1.4 ×/÷ 1.4) × 10¹⁸, (1.6 ×/÷ 1.3) × 10¹⁸ (23 ×/÷ 1.3) × 10¹⁸photons cm^-3for Photofrin, AIPcS₁ and AlPcS₄, respectively. The changes in necrosis threshold with time may be due to an initial change from entirely vascular to a combination of vascular and cellular damage, with later redistribution of the photosensiti/.er to targets at the subcellular level.     

Sputtering of bismuth thin films under MeV Cu heavy ion irradiation: Experimental data and inelastic thermal spike model interpretation.

The sputtering of bismuth (Bi/Si) thin films deposited onto silicon substrates and irradiated by swift Cu^q+ heavy ions (q = +4 to +7) was investigated by varying both the ion energy over the 10 to 26‐MeV range and the ion fluence ϕ from 5.1 × 10¹³ cm⁻² to 3.4 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻². The sputtering yields were determined experimentally via the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry technique using a 2‐MeV He⁺ ion beam. The measured sputtering yields versus Cu⁷⁺ ion fluence for a fixed incident energy of 26 MeV exhibit a significant depression at very low ϕ‐values flowed by a steady‐state regime above ~1.6 × 10¹⁴ cm⁻², similarly to those previously pointed out for Bi thin films irradiated by MeV heavy ions. By fixing the incident ion fluence to a mean value of ~2.6 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻² in the upper part of the yield saturation regime, the measured sputtering yield data versus ion energy were found to increase with increasing the electronic stopping power in the Bi target material. Their comparison to theoretical predicted models is discussed. A good agreement is observed between the measured sputtering yields and the predicted ones when considering the contribution of 2 competitive processes of nuclear and electronic energy losses via, respectively, the SRIM simulation code and the inelastic thermal spike model using refined parameters of the ion slowing down with reduced thermophysical proprieties of the Bi thin films.