Structural and electric surface characteristics of heavy ion tracks in poly(ethylene terephthalate) and mica

The entry of high-energy Kr, Xe, and Bi ions into the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and mica has been imaged. It has been shown that the track images have the shape of protuberances in both cases. The formation of protuberances is associated with the degradation of the material in the track region, in the formation of an amorphous structure, and the release of low-molecular radiolysis products as gaseous compounds. Holding the irradiated PET samples in water and dilute alkaline solution for several hours changes the surface topography due to hydrolysis of the material and escape of the radiolysis products to the solution. The kinetics of track etching in the dilute alkaline solution and pore formation have been studied. The electrical resistance and the permeability of the tracks in KCl, LiCl, MgCl2, and BaCl2 electrolytes have been measured.