The non-sensitized photo-oxidative degradation of polycarproamide

Abstract

The viscometric method was used to measure the rate of photo-oxidative degradation of polycaproamide (PCA) specimens prepared under varying polymerization conditions. Thin PCA films (1–3 μ) were exposd to the action of light at 253·7 nm in air at room temperature. It is shown that in the early stages of photooxidation (up to 3% of oxidized substance) the photo-oxidative degradation of the PCA specimens is non-sensitized, and is determined by the absorption of the amide chromophore group, and does not depend on the accumulation of photo-oxidation products. The quantum yeilds of fractured bonds in the PCA and the accumulation of carbonyl and carboxyl groups were found to be 0·015, 0·009 and 0·0045 respectively.