Abstract
Elementary processes in the γ-irradiated degradation of bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) have been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) and molecular weight measurements. γ-Irradiation of PC films at −196°C gave an ESR spectrum attributable to trapped electrons, phenyl and phenoxy type radicals. An ionic species produced in PC was observed by optical absorption measurements. The viscosity average molecular weight, Mv , decreased with increasing irradiation dose both in vacuum and in air. A linear relationship between ( 1 Mn(t) − 1 ( Mn (0)) and irradiation dose was obtained, where Mn (t) is the number average molecular weight at irradiation time t. Random chain scission processes are suggested for γ-ray induced degradation of PC films. The ratio of the apparent rate constant of chain scission of PC in air to that in vacuum, k s(air)/k s(vac), was estimated to be 2·4. A mechanism for γ-ray induced degradation of PC is proposed on the basis of the experimental results.
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