Effect of Ar ion beam irradiation on chitosan membrane surface properties

Chitosan has received considerable attention for biomedical applications in recent years because of its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Chitosan membranes with 30 μm in thickness were prepared and modified using Ar ion. Membranes were bombarded by using three energy levels, 30, 55 and 80 keV with fluxes of 1× 1015, 3×1015 and 5 × 1015 ion/ cm2. The influences of the ion bombardment on the basic properties of the membranes, namely morphology, water permeate flux and hydrophilicity was investigated. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images showed that ion bombardment increased surface roughness, while attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrum revealed an increase in surface polar groups, which was consistency with a decrease in water contact angle. The results indicated that Ar ion bombardment can markedly improve the surface hydrophilicity of the chitosan membrane. In addition, chitosan membranes after Ar ion implantation, found antifungal property.