The heavy ion tracks in polymers investigation by means of high-effective liquid chromatography and atomic-force microscopy

The method of heavy high-energy ions latent tracks structure in polymers in vestigations have been proposed. This method includes the irradiated polyme r preliminary treatment with water, then with week alkali solution for diff erent track area visualization and investigation. The products of polyethyl ene terephthalate radiolysis from the track areas were investigated by mean s of inverse-phase chromatography. Atomic-force microscopy was used for sur face change of initial and developed polymer investigation. It was shown th at the latent track has complicated structure and consists of different are as. For Xe-irradiated PET-sample 3 areas (with diameters 7, 17 and 50-150 n m) were found, Such track structure allows to explain the discrepancy betwe en the data, previously obtained by using different methods. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.