Irradiation of aromatic polymers: The effect of irradiation temperature on crosslinking and scission in polystyrene

Abstract

AbstractPolystyrene of narrow molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn ≈ 1.03, was subjected to γ irradiation at 100 and 150°C. The yields of scission and crosslinking, G(S) and G(X), where determined from the changes in molecular weight distribution using gel permeation chromatography, (GPC) with supporting evidence from osmometry and viscometry. The ratio G(S)/G(X) increased from 0.02 at 30°C, obtained previously, to 2.8 at 150°C. This was mainly due to a tenfold increase in G(S), whereas G(X) apparently decreased slightly. These results are compatible with increased disproportion of chain scission radicals relative to their combination, analogous to the temperature dependence of mutual termination in the free radical polymerization of styrene. There was no obvious discontinuity through the glass transition temperature, although there may be a change in sign of the temperature coefficient of G(X). This system provides an excellent example of the applicability of measurements of molecular weight distributions and averages to determinations of G(S) and G(X) under conditions when gel measurements are inappropriate, either because of the failure of the system to form gel, or, as in the present case, because of the very large radiation doses required for gel formation.