The influence of process conditions on the formation of thallium sulfide layers on polyethylene by the use of higher polythionic acid H2S33O6

Abstract

Thallium sulfide layers of varying composition form on the surface of low-density polyethylene (PE) when the PE films have been sulfurized in a solution of higher polythionic acid H2S33O6, and then immersed in the alkaline solution of thallium (I) sulfate. The concentration of sulfur sorbed-diffused into PE surface increases with the increase of the sulfurization time and concentration of higher polythionic acid solution. The concentration of thallium in the Tl (x) S (y) layers depends on the sulfur concentration sorbed-diffused into PE, the concentration, and temperature of thallium (I) sulfate solutions. By chemical analysis of the obtained sulfide layers it was determined that the values of x and y in the TlxSy layers varies in the intervals: 1 < x < 3, 1 < y < 6. Two phases TlS, Tl2S2 were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis in thallium sulfide layers. Scanning Electron (SEM) and Atomic Force (AFM) microscopies were used to characterize surface morphology of thallium sulfide layers. The films deposited on the PE surface have a non-homogeneous structure, and consist of separated islands.