Creation of fluoropolymer-based nanostructures by swift-heavy-ion irradiation

Yamaki, Tetsuya

My talk is devoted to the following two topics, both of which include the creation of fluoropolymer-based nanostructures with swift heavy ions mainly from the cyclotron of the Takasaki Ion Accelerators for Advanced Radiation Application. (1) We have prepared the ion-track membranes of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), a type of fluoropolymer, by etching out latent tracks of MeV-GeV heavy ions in an alkaline solution. (2) The electrolyte membranes for fuel cell applications have been prepared by the direct grafting of a styrene monomer into the ion tracks in a fluoropolymer substrate, poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) film.