Electrosurface properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) films irradiated by heavy ions and track membranes based on these films

Abstract

The streaming potential method realized in a slit-like setup using 10^–4–10^–2 mol/L KCl solutions has been employed to study the electrosurface characteristics of poly(ethylene terephthalate) films, both initial and irradiated by heavy ions, as well as track membranes with pore sizes of 50 and 210 nm made from these films. Their ζ potentials and surface charges have been calculated. The data obtained suggest that irradiation of the polymer films by heavy ions reduce the ζ potential and surface charge. However, as a result of film etching during the preparation of the track membranes, the ζ potential and surface charge increase and exceed the corresponding values for the initial film.