Laser-induced periodic surface nanostructures formation and modification in polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polymer used in a large variety of industries as clothing, packaging and aeronautics among many others. Laser-inducted periodic surface nanostructures presents great potential as long as the modifications of materials are delivered in a controlled manner. However the formation of nanostructures having different morphological properties presents itself a difficult errand. The purpose of this paper is to present how the surface structure of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) changes at nanoscale levels after irradiation with laser beams of spatially variant polarization. Utilizations of such nanostructures can be seen in a multitude of applications varying from electronics and textiles to aeronautical and military implementations. For the creation of the new nanostructures has been used an YAG solid state laser (Spectra Physics, Quanta Ray) with a pulse duration of 4 ns and a repetition rate of 10 Hz for different spatial periods and at different inclination angles, an Atomic Force Microscope and a Scanning Electron Microscope in order to analyze the newly created nanostructures. Such Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified structures have been used as well in combination with fiber glass compounds in order to produce highly resistant engineering resins to heat and impact. The formation of specific controllable surface nanostructures given different functionalities are of major interest as a technique to improve or even produce completely new specific oriented properties. This study reveals how the structure of polyethylene terephthalate surface changes after laser-induced treatment.