Structure-Property Characteristics of Ion Implanted Syndiotactic Polystyrene

Abstract

The structure–property characteristics of carbon ion–implanted syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) are studied in the chapter under different doses and energy levels. Some of the attractive physical characteristics of sPS include high melting point (270°C), low specific gravity (1.045), excellent hydrocarbon resistance, high degree of dimensional stability, enhanced mechanical performance at elevated temperature, very good electrical properties, and low viscosity at typical shear rates. Applications of ion implantation to polymers are of growing interest mainly because polymers are inexpensive and light and can be easily shaped into various forms. Ion-implantation experiments were performed at the Acadiana Research Laboratory with a National Electrostatics Corporation 5SDH-2 1.7 MV Tandem Pelletron Accelerator. C–H bonds broke and several volatile species were released during the ion implantation process. Ion implantation improved the solvent resistance of the sPS samples. Increased dose had a definite effect on the improvement of solvent resistance. However, ion implantation performed at different energy levels showed less effect. The wettability of sPS samples was improved slightly by ion implantation. Increased dose of ion implantation might improve the surface hardness of the sPS samples. The sPS surface as hard as stainless has been created by the implantation at a highest dose of 1015 ions/cm2.