Electron induced modification in polypropylene

The effect of 23 kGy dose of 2 MeV electron irradiation on polypropylene has been studied by different characterisation techniques, viz. Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis. The thermal stability of the polymer was found to be increasing due to electron irradiation. The thermal decomposition temperature as well as the melting temperature in case of irradiated polypropylene was found to increase due to electron bombardment. The isotactic nature of the polymer was found to be unaffected by electron irradiation. An increase in crystallinity of the polymer has also been observed after irradiation.     

Thermal and optical properties of electron beam irradiated cellulose triacetate

Samples from Cellulose triacetate (CTA) sheets were irradiated with electron beam in the dose range 10–200 kGy. Non-isothermal studies were carried out using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to obtain the activation energy of thermal decomposition for CTA polymer. The CTA samples decompose in one main break down stage. The results indicate that the irradiation by electron beam in the dose range 80–200 kGy increases the thermal stability of the polymer samples. Also, the variation of melting temperatures with the electron dose has been determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The CTA polymer is characterized by the appearance of one endothermic peak due to melting. It is found that the irradiation in the dose range 10–80 kGy causes defects generation that splits the crystals depressing the melting temperature, while at higher doses (80–200 kGy), the thickness of crystalline structure (lamellae) is increased, thus the melting temperature increases. In addition, the transmission of these samples in the wavelength range 200–2500 nm, as well as any color changes, were studied. The color intensity ΔE* was greatly increased on increasing the electron beam dose, and accompanied by a significant increase in the blue color component.      

Spectral,X-ray diffraction,surface morphological and thermal studies of gamma-irradiated potassium bis(oxalato)zincate(II)dihydrate

ABSTRACT

Potassium bis(oxalato)zincate(II)dihydrate was prepared and characterized. The sample was irradiated with ⁶⁰Co gamma rays up to 900?kGy. Infrared, Raman and photoluminescence spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern, surface morphology by AFM and SEM and non-isothermal decomposition of the complex were studied before and after irradiation. Spectral studies suggested significant radiation damage. X-ray diffraction studies showed reduction in unit cell volume and average crystallite size. Both unirradiated and irradiated samples of the complex belong to the hexagonal crystal system. Surface morphology of the complex changed upon irradiation. Thermal decomposition was enhanced.     

Electron induced modification in poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract

The effect of 100 kGy dose of 2 MeV electron irradiation on Poly(ethylene terepthalate) (PET) has been studied by different characterisation techniques such as the Fourier transformed IR spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis. Oxidative degradation leading to amorphisation of the polymer has been observed from spectral analysis. The thermal stability of the polymer was found to decrease due to electron irradiation. The thermal decomposition temperature as well as the melting temperature in case of irradiated PET was found to be decreased due to electron bombardment. A decrease in crystallinity of the polymer has also been observed after irradiation.     

Influence of 120 MeV Si9+ ion irradiation on ZnTe semiconductor thin films

ABSTRACT

ZnTe (Zinc Telluride) is a potential semiconducting material for many optoelectronic devices like solar cells and back contact material for CdTe-based solar cells. In the present study, ZnTe thin films were prepared by thermal evaporation technique and then irradiated with 120?MeV Si⁹⁺ ions at different fluences. These films are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV–Visible spectroscopy techniques. XRD study confirms increased crystallinity and grain growth for post-irradiated ZnTe thin films for fluences, up to 1?×?10¹¹ ions cm^?2. However, the grain size and crystallinity decreased for higher fluence-exposed samples. SEM images confirm the observed structural properties. Modification of the surface morphology of the film due to the ion irradiation with different fluences is studied. Optical band gap of film is decreased from 2.31?eV (pristine) to 2.17?eV after irradiation of Si⁹⁺ ions.     

Investigation of radiosterilization feasibility of sulfamethoxazole by ESR spectroscopy

In the present study, the spectroscopic features of the radiolytic intermediates that were produced in gamma-irradiated (5, 10, 25 and 50?kGy) sulfamethoxazole (SMX) have been investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and the radiation sterilization feasibility of SMX by ionizing radiation was examined. Gamma-irradiated SMX exhibited a complex ESR spectrum consisting of 13 resonance lines where spectral parameters for the central resonance line were found to be g?=?2.0062 and ΔH_pp?=?0.6?mT. The radiation yield of SMX was calculated to be relatively low (G?=?0.1) by ESR spectroscopy and no meaningful difference was observed in the comparison of unirradiated and 50?kGy gamma irradiated SMX by the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) technique, confirming that SMX is a radioresistive material. Although SMX could not be accepted to be a good dosimetric material, the identification of irradiated SMX from the unirradiated sample was possible even for the low absorbed radiation doses and for a relatively long time (three months) after the irradiation process. Decay activation energy of the radical species, which is mostly responsible for the central intense resonance line, is calculated to be 45.15?kJ/mol by using the signal intensity decay data derived from annealing studies. Four radical species with different spectroscopic properties were accepted to be responsible for the ESR spectra of gamma-irradiated SMX, by simulation calculations. It is concluded that SMX and SMX-containing drugs can be sterilized by gamma radiation and ESR spectroscopy is an appropriate technique for the characterization of these induced radical intermediates during the gamma irradiation process of SMX. Toxicology tests should also be done for its safe usage.     

Surface modification study of low energy electron beam irradiated polycarbonate film

The effect of low energy electron beam irradiation on polycarbonate (PC) film has been studied here. The PC film of thickness 20 μm was exposed by 10 keV electron beam with 100 nA/cm² current density. The irradiated film was characterized by mean of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and residual gas analyzer (RGA). Formation of unsaturated bonds and partial graphitization of the surface layer are measured by XPS. Results of the AFM imaging shows electron implantation induce changes in surface morphology of the polymer film. The residual gas analyzer (RGA) spectrum of PC is recorded in situ during irradiation. The results show the change in cross-linking density of the polymer at the top surface.     

Effect of electron beam irradiation on the structural,thermal and optical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) thin film

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer was prepared using the casting technique. The obtained PVA thin films have been irradiated with electron beam doses ranging from 20 to 300 kGy. The resultant effect of electron beam irradiation on the structural properties of PVA has been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), while the thermal properties have been investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The onset temperature of decomposition T ₀ and activation energy of thermal decomposition E _a were calculated, results indicate that the PVA thin film decomposes in one main weight loss stage. Also, the electron beam irradiation in dose range 95–210 kGy led to a more compact structure of the PVA polymer, which resulted in an improvement in its thermal stability with an increase in the activation energy of thermal decomposition. The variation of transition temperatures with electron beam dose has been determined using DTA. The PVA thermograms were characterized by the appearance of an endothermic peak due to melting. In addition, the transmission of the PVA samples and any color changes were studied. The color intensity Δ E was greatly increased with increasing electron beam dose, and was accompanied by a significant increase in the blue color component.     

Investigation of irradiated 1H-Benzo[b]pyrrole by ESR,thermal methods and learning algorithm

1H-Benzo[b]pyrrole samples were irradiated in the air with gamma source at 0.969?kGy per hour at room temperature for 24, 48 and 72?h. After irradiation, electron spin resonance, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements were immediately carried out on the irradiated and unirradiated samples. The ESR measurements were performed between 320 and 400?K. ESR spectra were recorded from the samples irradiated for 48 and 72?h. The obtained spectra were observed to be dependent on temperature. Two radical-type centres were detected on the sample. Detected radiation-induced radicals were attributed to R-^+?NH and R=^?CC₂H₂. The g-values and hyperfine constants were calculated by means of the experimental spectra. It was also determined from TGA spectrum that both the unirradiated and irradiated samples were decomposed at one step with the rising temperature. Moreover, a theoretical study was presented. Success of the machine learning methods was tested. It was found that bagging techniques, which are widely used in the machine learning literature, could optimise prediction accuracy noticeably.     

Modification induced by gamma irradiation in Bayfol CR 1-4 polycarbonate

Bayfol CR 1-4 polycarbonate is a class of polymeric solid state nuclear track detector which has many applications in various radiation detection fields. Samples from sheets of Bayfol have been irradiated with gamma doses ranging from 100 to 620 kGy. The structural modifications in the gamma-irradiated Bayfol samples have been studied as a function of dose, using different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity and refractive index. The results indicate that the carbonyl group (C?O) degraded under irradiation up to 200 kGy. This degradation, reported by FTIR spectroscopy enhanced the degree of ordering in the degraded samples as revealed by the XRD technique. Above 200 and up to 620 kGy, cross-linking is achieved, leading to an increase in the intrinsic viscosity from 0.41 to 0.78 at 35°C, indicating an increase in the average molecular mass. On the other hand, the resultant effect of gamma irradiation on the thermal properties of Bayfol has been investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis, results indicating that the gamma irradiation in the dose range 200–620 kGy led to a more compact structure of Bayfol polymer, which resulted in an improvement in its thermal stability with an increase in the activation energy of thermal decomposition due to cross-linking. In addition, the V–I characteristics of the polymer samples were performed, results indicated that at higher voltage, the conduction mechanism of Bayfol CR 1-4 was identified as the Poole–Frenkel type.     

Effect of 10 MeV electron irradiation on dye-sensitized solar cells

The effect of 10?MeV electrons’ irradiation on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been studied in this paper. J–V characteristics measurements were carried out in order to investigate the degradation of the cells in electron radiation environments. The short-circuit current (J_sc) and maximum power density (P_max) of cells decrease significantly after the electron irradiation. When the irradiation dose increases to 10?kGy, the initial maximum power decreases nearly by 50%. The influences of the electron irradiation on FTO, dye sensitizer and anode were studied to investigate the degradation mechanism of DSSC, respectively. The ultraviolet–visible spectra of FTO show that the absorption peaks of dye decrease, resulting in a decline of the FTO transmittance. According to the X-ray diffraction measurement results, it was found that the particle size of nano-crystalline TiO₂ had changed after the electron irradiation. With the help of SEM, the conglomeration of TiO₂ nano-particles appears after the electron irradiation.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on HPMC/ZnO nanocomposite films

The present work looks into the structural, chemical, mechanical, optical and thermal modification in ZnO nanoparticle incorporated hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) polymer films, induced by gamma irradiation. The irradiation process was performed in a gamma chamber at room temperature using Cobalt-60 source (average energy of 1.25?MeV) at different doses: 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200?kGy. The modifications in structural, chemical, mechanical, optical and thermal properties, due to gamma irradiation in HPMC/ZnO nanocomposite films, have been studied using wide angle X-ray scattering (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, universal testing machine, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry and thermogravimetric analysis. It is found that gamma irradiation improves the mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposite films.     

The Effects of Morphological Properties of Henequen Fiber Irradiated by EB on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Henequen Fiber/PP Composites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of electron beam (EB) irradiation on the morphological properties, crystallinity and surface area of henequen fiber and on the mechanical and thermal properties of henequen fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. The structure of henequen fiber was characterized by X-ray diffraction, mercury porosimetry and BET surface area analysis. The EB irradiation of 10 kGy led to the increasing of crystalline and surface pore area of henequen fiber, which contributed to the number of interlocking places with PP. From the results of tensile and impact strength tests, the highest value was observed for the composite reinforced with the henequen fiber treated with EB dose of 10 kGy, decreasing overall as EB dose increased. This tendency was also shown by coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) measurements, but the value of CTE decreased until 50 kGy, meaning that a large total surface area can provide many interlocking places and so improve adhesion between fiber and matrix. Therefore, it can be concluded that the optimum pore surface area by 10 kGy irradiation contributes to successful mechanical interlocking between fiber and matrix and consequently enhances the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites.     

Photo and thermally induced properties change in Bi/Ag/Se trilayer thin film

In this article, we have demonstrated the optical and structural properties change in Bi/Ag/Se trilayer thin films by the influence of thermal and photon energy. The trilayer films prepared by thermal evaporation technique were annealed and laser irradiated at room temperature. The X-ray diffraction study revealed the Ag₂Se phase formation and the surface morphology change is being studied by Field emission scanning electron microscopy. The optical properties of the studied films were characterized by using FTIR spectrophotometer in the wavelength range 400–1200?nm. The reduction of optical band gap by both thermal and laser irradiation is being discussed on the basis of chemical disorderness, defect states and density of localized states in the mobility gap. The Raman shift due to annealing and irradiation supports the changes in the film. The large change in optical band gap in thermal annealing is useful for memory device and waveguide fabrication.     

Effect of gamma-irradiation on thermal decomposition kinetics,X-ray diffraction pattern and spectral properties of tris(1,2-diaminoethane)nickel(II)sulphate

Tris(1,2-diaminoethane)nickel(II)sulphate was prepared, and characterised by various chemical and spectral techniques. The sample was irradiated with ⁶⁰Co gamma rays for varying doses. Sulphite ion and ammonia were detected and estimated in the irradiated samples. Non-isothermal decomposition kinetics, X-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electronic, fast atom bombardment mass spectra, and surface morphology of the complex were studied before and after irradiation. Kinetic parameters were evaluated by integral, differential, and approximation methods. Irradiation enhanced thermal decomposition, lowering thermal and kinetic parameters. The mechanism of decomposition is controlled by R₃ function. From X-ray diffraction studies, change in lattice parameters and subsequent changes in unit cell volume and average crystallite size were observed. Both unirradiated and irradiated samples of the complex belong to trigonal crystal system. Decrease in the intensity of the peaks was observed in the infrared spectra of irradiated samples. Electronic spectral studies revealed that the M–L interaction is unaffected by irradiation. Mass spectral studies showed that the fragmentation patterns of the unirradiated and irradiated samples are similar. The additional fragment with m/z 256 found in the irradiated sample is attributed to S₈⁺. Surface morphology of the complex changed upon irradiation.     

Effect of electron beam on structural,linear and nonlinear properties of nanostructured Fluorine doped ZnO thin films

Electron beam induced effects on Fluorine doped ZnO thin films (FZO) grown by chemical spray pyrolysis deposition technique were studied. The samples were exposed to 8 MeV electron beam at different dose rate ranging from 1 kGy to 4 kGy. All films exhibit a polycrystalline nature which shows an increase in crystallanity with irradiation dosages. The electron beam irradiation effectively controls the films surface morphology and its linear optical characteristics. Z-Scan technique was employed to evaluate the sign and magnitude of nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient using a continuous wave laser at 632.8 nm as light source. Enhancement in the third order nonlinear optical properties was were noted due to electron beam irradiation. Tailoring the physical and NLO properties by electron beam, the FZO thin films becomes a promising candidate for various optoelectronic applications such as phase change memory devices, optical pulse compression, optical switching and laser pulse narrowing.     

Nanosecond surface interferometry measurements on designed and commercial polymers

The effect of the ablation mechanism on surface morphology changes during an ablation process was studied by comparing three different polymers: a triazene polymer, a polyimide and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) with nanosecond surface interferometry. The triazene polymer, for which only indications for a photochemical ablation mechanism had been detected in previous studies, revealed no surface swelling, which could be attributed to a thermal ablation mechanism. For polyimide, a photothermal ablation mechanism is usually used to describe the ablation process at irradiation wavelengths 248 nm. However, the interferometric measurements do not show any surface swelling, which would be a clear indication for a thermal ablation mechanism. A surface swelling was only detected for PMMA with irradiation at 248 nm and fluences below the threshold of permanent surface modification. The detected phase shift, which is proportional to the change of the film thickness and the refractive index, can be explained by the opposite signs of the thermal expansion coefficient and the thermal refractive-index coefficient. PACS 52.38.Mf; 42.87.Bg; 71.20.Rv     

Electron-beam irradiation effects on poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) polymer

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) films were irradiated with a 1.2 MeV electron beam at varied doses over the range 0–270 kGy in order to investigate the modifications induced in its optical, electrical and thermal properties. It was observed that optical band gap and activation energy of EVA films decreased upon electron irradiation, whereas the transition dipole moment, oscillator strength and number of carbon atoms per cluster were found to increase upon irradiation. Further, the dielectric constant, the dielectric loss, and the ac conductivity of EVA films were found to increase with an increase in the dose of electron radiation. The result further showed that the thermal stability of EVA film samples increased upon electron irradiation.     

Radiation-induced changes in electrical conductivity and structure of BaPbO3 after γ-irradiation

Several barium plumbate (BaPbO₃) solid samples, made from PbO and BaCO₃ powder by chemistry liquid-phase coprecipitation, were investigated before and after γ-irradiation. The solid samples were irradiated by a ⁶⁰Co γ-irradiation source whose dose rate is about 0.7?kGy per hour. The irradiation times were 0, 72, 144, 216, 288 and 360?h. Then, the four-probe method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to indicate the changes in electrical conductivity and microstructure of BaPbO₃ after γ-irradiation. The XRD results indicated that the content of PbO was reduced as the irradiation dose was increased and eventually vanished from the surface of samples. However, there was no new obvious substance phase found from the XRD atlas. It seems that the PbO transformed into nearly amorphous Pb₅O₈. The conjecture could be proved by the results of annealing experiment and SEM. The XPS results seem to show that the microstructure of BaPbO₃ was slightly changed.     

Electron beam initiated grafting of methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane to fused silica glass

The effect of electron beam pretreatment of fused silica glass upon its surface functional composition and possibility for subsequent immobilization of methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MOPTMS) layer is studied using FTIR spectroscopy and adsorption of acid-base indicators. The content of Brensted acidic centers (silanol groups) on the irradiated fused silica surface is found to follow an “oscillatory” trend as function of the absorbed dose below 100 kGy at electron beam processing due to the alternating reactions of hydroxylation (probably as a result of Si-O-Si bond disruption and interaction with radiolyzed physically adsorbed water) and thermal dehydration/dehydroxylation at radiation heating. The best conditions for MOPTMS layer formation are based on the increased acidity of both silica surface (formation of acidic hydroxyls) and the reaction medium (MOPTMS deposition from acetic acid solution). The optimal value of absorbed dose at electron beam processing providing the highest efficiency of MOPTMS grafting is 50 kGy at accelerated electron energy 700 keV. Electron beam pretreatment of fused silica surface is shown to provide more efficient MOPTMS immobilization in comparison with conventional chemical and thermal grafting procedures. The obtained results are promising for the enhancement of the processes for the production of fused silica glass capillaries for electrochromatography and electrophoresis at the stage of an intermediate bifunctional layer formation required for the subsequent deposition of specific polymer coatings.