Wetting properties alteration due to cluster formation by the precise joining of iron oxide nanoparticles on low energy nitrogen ion irradiation

In this work, we have investigated the surface alteration of iron oxide nanoparticles produced by low-energy (5 keV) nitrogen ions. Spin coating was used to deposit the iron oxide nanoparticles on a pre-cleaned silicon substrate. 1 × 1016 ions per cm2 fluence were used to irradiate the thin films of iron oxide nanoparticles. The uniformly distributed nanoparticles form to be clustered together which can be attributed to the Ostwald ripening due to the ion-induced defects. To learn more about cluster development, we have looked into the structural and morphological characteristics of both the original and irradiated surfaces of the thin films. Also, the wetting properties of as-deposited and irradiated samples of iron oxide nanoparticles are investigated. The hydrophilicity of irradiated samples has decreased further than that of the pristine samples.