Electron microscopical characterization of surface modified polymers

Surfaces of polymers are modified by UV-irradiation in a reactive gas atmosphere. The technique allows to introduce special functional groups (e.g. -CN, -NH2, -SO3H) to the surface. The chemical composition of the surfaces is analyzed by means of electron microscopical methods. To analyze the depth distribution of the elements sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen, line scans are recorded perpendicular to the surface by means of EDXS and EELS. The investigations are performed in the SEM and TEM.