Poly (phosphate-co-carbonate) polymers for solid state nuclear track detection application

Abstract

Polymers of triallyl phosphate (TAP) with allyl diglycol carbonate (ADC), pentaerythritol tetrakis allyl carbonate (PETAC) and N-allyloxycarbonyldiethanolaminebis (allyl carbonate) (NADAC) monomers have been prepared and copolymerized with ADC to get poly (ADC-co-TAP), poly (TAP-co-PETAC) and poly (TAP-co-NADAC) polymers respectively for solid state nuclear track detection applications. The developed polymers have tested successfully as a solid state nuclear track detector for alpha particles and fission fragments for the first time. All monomers synthesized were characterized by IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectra. The copolymers of TAP with ADC in different proportions were also prepared and tested for track detection characteristics. The optimum chemical etching condition for the poly (TAP-co-ADC) detector was found to be 7 M NaOH at 70 °C. The polymeric films were optimized for use as solid state nuclear track detectors. Track detection parameters of the copolymeric films were compared with that of commercial PADC detector. It is found that copolymer poly (TAP-co-ADC, 3;7 w/w) showed enhanced alpha sensitivity as compared to that of commercial PADC detector.