Polymer surface modification due to excimer laser radiation—Chemical and physical changes in the surface structure of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract

Abstract The effects on chemical and physical properties of PET (poly(ethylene terephthalate)) film surfaces as a result of microstructuring induced by KrF‐laser (248 nm) radiation were investigated. On irradiation, the properties of film surfaces changed in proportion to radiation flux intensity. Close to threshold values, bulbous swellings appeared on the surface, which showed hydrophilic properties. At the threshold and above, regular rippling was seen, and the surface showed hydrophobic properties. Excimer laser irradiation induced chemical modification of the surface, decrease in the O/C ratio, dissociation of ester binding and amorphism as observed by X‐ray‐induced photoelectron spectroscopic and Fourier‐transform infrared analysis.