Carbonization of polymer sheets using UV diode laser in N2 atmospheric condition

We investigated the carbonization process of polymer sheets such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polyimide (PI) using an UV diode laser in N2 atmospheric condition, and proposed the carbonization mechanism. After the laser treatment, oxygen and nitrogen-related products in polymer sheets remarkably decreased, and carbon phase appeared in the sheets. This implied that the laser treatment using UV diode laser was an effective technique for polymer carbonization. Thus, it was concluded that the laser-treated process was expected to modify and control the properties of polymer sheet for various applications.