The electrical, photo-catalytic and sensory properties of graphene oxide and polyimide implanted by low and medium energy silver ions

Precise control of electrical conductivity, humidity sensitivity, and photocatalytic activity in polymeric and carbon-based materials is essential for advancing technologies in environmental sensing, flexible electronics, and photocatalytic systems. Conventional chemical modification methods often lack spatial precision, introduce impurities, and risk structural degradation. Ion implantation provides a controllable alternative for tuning surface properties at the nanoscale, enabling the targeted introduction of functional species without chemical reagents. This work investigates the effects of low-energy (20 keV) and medium-energy (1.5 MeV) Ag⁺ ion implantation on the electrical, sensory, and photocatalytic properties of graphene oxide (GO) and polyimide (PI). Implantations were carried out with fluences ranging from 3.75×1012 cm-2 to 1×1016 cm-2. Silver ions offer excellent electrical, catalytic, and plasmonic characteristics, making them ideal for multifunctional enhancement of GO and PI. Elemental and structural changes induced by implantation were analyzed using Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS), Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Surface morphology was assessed via Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Electrical properties as a function of air humidity were evaluated using a two-point method, and photocatalytic activity was tested by monitoring the UV-induced decomposition of Rhodamine B. The results demonstrate that ion implantation significantly reduces surface resistivity and enhances both the photocatalytic activity and humidity sensitivity of GO and PI. The most pronounced improvements occurred at higher fluences, where defect generation and partial deoxygenation contributed to optimal performance. Ion implantation thus represents an effective approach for tuning the multifunctional behavior of polymer systems.