Etching of tracks of accelerated heavy ions in poly(ethylene terephthalate) and some physicochemical properties of track membranes

The features of etching of latent tracks of heavy ions in poly(ethylene terephthalate) up to pore formation were investigated. It was found that the etching process included the following stages: (1) electrolyte penetration into the pores due to capillary forces and removal of monomeric radiolysis products; (2) swelling of the cross-linked (due to secondary electrons) polymer areas around the tracks to give the gel layer; (3) removal of the gel layer and the formation of track membranes with a pore radius of 40–50 Å. The radiation-chemical processes in polymers influence the physicochemical properties of the obtained membranes. The microrelief of the membrane surface was studied by atomic-force microscopy.