The effect of electron irradiation on the structure and the optical properties of silver particulate films deposited on modified thermoplastic polymer substrates

The silver (Ag) particulate films are prepared by the vacuum evaporation onto polystyrene (PS) substrates modified with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), pre-irradiated with the 8-MeV electron beam, held at a temperature 453 K. The effect of organosilane and electron irradiation dose on the Ag particulate structure is studied through optical spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern, atomic-force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The flat spectrum observed for the lower irradiation doses may be due to the formation of the clusters of different sizes and shapes. The band shift toward the higher wavelength is attributed to the increased aggregation leading to the formation of the larger-sized nanoclusters. A long tail extending to the higher wavelength region is also observed due to aggregation process. The FESEM studies indicate the formation of the silver nanoclusters. The decrease in the particle size with the increase in irradiation dose as seen through TEM studies is interpreted on the basis of polymer–metal particle interaction caused by the free radicals formed due to the electron irradiation of the MPTMS-modified PS substrates. The SAED pattern shows the crystalline nature of the silver particles formed on the pure PS and the MPTMS-modified PS substrates irradiated with the electron beam. The AFM studies show an increase in the average surface roughness of the silver films with the electron irradiation dose and the MPTMS concentration. XRD indicated the polycrystalline nature of silver film on the pre-irradiated PS substrates and formation of nanocrystallites of silver with preferred orientation on the MPTMS-modified PS substrates pre-irradiated with electron beam.