Infrared spectroscopic investigation of some polymers and polymer blend films irradiated by a Si-28 ion beam

Films of polypropylene, polyimide, and a polymethyl methacrylate/polystyren e (PMMA, PS) blend were irradiated with a Si-28 ion beam of 60 MeV. The inf rared (IR) spectra of these samples before and after irradiation were recor ded and, using the spectral information, some structural changes were inves tigated. The spectra indicated crosslinking in polypropylene, and stability , ordering and conformational changes in polyimide. Based on the infrared s pectra, PMMA was found to degrade whereas PS was found to crosslink in the blend after irradiation. Further the IR spectra of the blend film before an d after irradiation did not reveal any interaction between PMMA and PS show ing the immiscible nature of the blend.