Analysis of Electrical Properties of Li3+ ion Beam Irradiated Lexan Polycarbonate

Abstract

The electrical properties of polymers are a subject which is inherently interdisciplinary in nature. The development of intrinsically conductive polymers has benefited immensely from the contributions of synthetic chemists. Electrical properties are closely allied with the mechanical properties of polymers studied by both physicists and engineers. A primary objective is, thus to produce semiconductive properties to the polymers. One of the best methods to increase the conductivity is to irradiate the polymers with swift heavy ions. In the present investigations the influence of 40MeV Li³⁺ ion beam in the range of 3x10¹¹-3x10¹³ ions/cm² on the electrical properties of lexan has been studied. The variations in dielectric constant and dielectric losses in the polymer have been investigated before and after irradiation. It has been observed that the ion beam irradiation enhances the degradation processes of lexan and helps in increasing the conductivity of the polymer.