Changes in physicochemical characteristics of cation exchange resins by high dose gamma irradiation

Abstract

Chemical and thermal characteristics of cation exchange resins were examined after irradiation of gamma rays. The degradation of cation exchange resins was mainly observed at doses of up to 500 kGy, whereas the balance between degradation and cross-linking reactions was sustained at 700 kGy. While the carbon content decreased significantly up to a maximum dose of 500 kGy, it showed an increase at higher doses. Conversely, the oxygen content exhibited a decrease in contrast to the carbon content. The continuous reduction in sulfur content was attributed to the decomposition of sulfonic groups. Gamma-ray irradiation caused a decrease in the initiation temperature of sulfonic groups and PS-DVB, but unlike the chemical properties of cation exchange resins due to gamma-ray irradiation, the thermal properties of resins remained unaffected.