Electron beam irradiation induced changes in the dielectric and electro-optical properties of a room temperature nematic display material 4-(trans-4′-n-hexylcyclohexyl) isothiocyanatobenzoate (6CHBT)

Dielectric and electro-optical studies of a pure and electron beam irradiated liquid crystalline compound 4-(trans-4′-n-hexylcyclohexyl) isothiocyanatobenzoate have been carried out. Dielectric anisotropy, relaxation frequency, activation energy and distribution parameter of an observed non-collective mode corresponding to the molecular rotation about the short axes have been determined as a function of temperature and irradiation dose whereas threshold and switching voltages, splay elastic constant are determined as a function of irradiation dose. The relaxation frequencies initially decrease up to an irradiation dose of 40 kGy but thereafter increase due to irradiation. The activation energies are increased up to irradiation dose of 40 kGy but around 60 kGy dose of irradiation, we found decrease in the activation energy. Electro-optical measurements show the lowering of the threshold voltage with sufficient improvement in the steepness of the transmission voltage curves due to irradiation. The observed changes in the dielectric and electro-optical properties are related with the cis–trans isomerization due to electron beam irradiation.     

Track revelation and optical properties of pentaerythritol tetrakis (allyl carbonate) plastic for application as nuclear track detector: effects of gamma radiations

The etching conditions of an indigenously prepared thin film of pentaerythritol tetrakis(allyl carbonate) (PETAC) were standardised for the use as a nuclear track detector. The optimum etching times in 6?N NaOH at 70°C for the appearance of fission and alpha tracks recorded in this detector from a ²⁵²Cf solid source were found to be 30 min and 1.50?h, respectively. The experimentally determined values for the bulk and track-etch rates for this detector in 6?N NaOH at 70°C were found to be 1.7?±?0.1 and 88.4?±?10.7?µm/h, respectively. From these results, the important track etching properties such as the critical angle of etching, the sensitivity and the fission track registration efficiency were calculated and compared with the commercially available detectors. The activation energy value for bulk etching calculated by applying Arrhenius equation to the bulk etch rates of the detector determined at different etching temperatures was found to be 0.86?±?0.02?eV. This compares very well with the value of about 1.0?eV reported for most commonly used track detectors. The effects of gamma irradiation on this new detector in the dose range of 200–1000?kGy have also been studied using bulk etch rate technique. The activation energy values for bulk etching calculated from bulk etch rates measurements at different temperatures were found to decrease with the increase in gamma dose indicating scission of the detector due to gamma irradiation. The optical band gap of this detector was also determined using UV–visible spectrometry and the value was found to be 4.37?±?0.05?eV.     

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.     

Increased porous morphology and thermal degradation of electron beam-irradiated PVDF-HFP/LiCLO4 polymer electrolyte

The effect of 8?MeV energy electron beam radiation at 40, 80 and 120?kGy dosage on surface morphology and thermal properties of lithium perchlorate-doped poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) polymer electrolyte films have been studied. The field emission scanning electron microscopic image shows small-porous structured morphology for unirradiated film, but it changed drastically into large and deep porous structure as well as the size of spherulites is reduced for 120?kGy confirming the influence of irradiation on morphology. The atomic force microscope reveals the significantly changed surface roughness of unirradiated film from 116.8 to 123.4?nm with a hill-like pattern morphology for 120?kGy confirming the increased amorphousity after irradiation. The thermal study confirmed that the decrease in the melting point of unirradiated film 160.86–155.24°C for 120?kGy doses is attributed to the formation of defects by the chain scissioning process resulting in the degradation of polymer electrolytes at high dose.     

Influence of gamma radiation on optical properties of Halloysite nanotubes incorporated polycarbonate nanocomposites

In the current research investigation, polycarbonate/hallyosite nanotubes (PC/HNTs) nanocomposite (NC) films have been successfully fabricated by solution intercalation technique using ultrasound energy in facile way which helps complete exfoliation of the HNTs in the matrix. The effect of Gamma irradiation-induced modifications of PC/HNTs NC have been studied in the dose range 200–500?kGy, irradiated with Co⁶⁰ source. The NC films have been evaluated by UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic techniques in order to probe the effect of gamma radiation on the structural behaviors. The obtained results have been indicated that as the Gamma irradiation dosage increases from 200 to 500?kGy, phenolic group forms through scissoring of ester link of PC, which may cause PC to degrade and lose their property. At lower dosage (200?kGy), the effect is less and at higher dosage (500?kGy), the effect is significant and at 300 and 400?kGy, the effect is moderate and NC films retained their properties. The irradiation effect is most significant and effective at the higher dosage range. UV–visible spectroscopy shows a noticeable reduction in the energy band gap due to gamma irradiation.     

Influence of 60Co gamma irradiation on the structural and optical properties of 2-aminopyridinium 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol crystals

In this article, effect of gamma irradiation on the structural and optical properties of 2-aminopyridinium 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol (2AP4N) has been reported. The grown crystals of 2AP4N were exposed to ⁶⁰Co gamma rays with a dose of 50 kGy and 100 kGy. The radiation-induced effects were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, UV–visible, photoluminescence techniques. The refractive index was determined using a long arm spectrometer. The structural properties of the pristine and irradiated crystals were studied using powder XRD. The peak intensity decrease after irradiation may be attributed to the formation of point defects. The UV visible study reveals that the energy gap has decreased after irradiation and then has increased for the higher dose. The intensity variation in the PL spectra is due to colour center mechanism. The SHG efficiency of 2AP4N crystals was found to be unaffected by gamma irradiation.     

电子束辐照对GaN基LED发光性能的影响

研究了不同能量的电子束辐照对GaN基发光二极管(Light emitting diode,LED)发光性能的影响。利用实验室提供的电子束模拟空间电子辐射,对GaN基LED外延片进行1.5,3.0,4.5 MeV电子束辐照实验,并应用光致发光(Photoluminescence,PL)谱测试发光性能。结果表明:在1.5 MeV电子束辐照下,采用10 kGy剂量辐照时,LED的发光强度增加约25%;而在100 kGy剂量辐照时,LED的发光强度降低约16%。3 MeV的电子束辐照可使原来色纯度不高的LED的色纯度变好,而更高能量的辐照将会引起器件失效。     

电子辐照改性PAN/PEO基体凝胶电解质对染料敏化太阳电池性能的提高

采用电子束（EB）对聚丙烯腈/聚氧化乙烯（PAN/PEO）凝胶电解质进行了剂量为13～260 kGy的辐照, 并对辐照改性的电解质组装的染料敏化太阳电池(DSSC)进行了性能测量。 结果表明, 改性后的DSSC的光电转化效率比改性前的高; 并且随EB辐照剂量的增加, DSSC效率先迅速增加(0～65 kGy), 然后缓慢减小(65～130 kGy)直至趋于一个平衡值(130～260 kGy)。 提升DSSC效率的最佳辐照剂量为65 kGy, 此时效率提高了约36%。 对比DSSC短路电流、 开路电压和填充因子随辐照剂量的变化, 发现DSSC效率的提高主要是由短路电流的提高引起的。 测量表明, 辐照改性后的DSSC时间稳定性得到了改善, 并且辐照剂量越高, 稳定性的改善越明显。 In this work, PAN/PEO (polyacrylonitrile/polyethylene oxide) based gel electrolyte was irradiated by electron beam (EB) with dose from 13 to 260 kGy. Then, DSSC (dye sensitized solar cell) was fabricated by the irradiated electrolyte and characterized. The results show that the efficiency of the DSSC fabricated by irradiated electrolyte is promoted comparing with DSSC fabricated by un irradiated electrolyte. And with irradiation dose increasing, the DSSC efficiency increases rapidly at first (0～65 kGy), then, drops down slowly (65～130 kGy), finally trends to a stable value (130～260 kGy). It indicates that there is an optimal irradiation dose, at which the promotion of DSSC efficiency is the highest, approximate 36%. Observed from the change of short circuit current, open circuit voltage and fill factor, short circuit current promotion by EB irradiation is found to be the main reason of DSSC performance promotion. The time stability measurement of the DSSC indicates that EB irradiation on PAN/PEO electrolyte reduces the loss of efficiency and the limiting effects become more apparent as the irradiation dose increases.     

Surface free energy of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene modified by electron and gamma irradiation

Surface free energy of biocompatible polymers is important factor which affects the surface properties such as wetting, adhesion and biocompatibility. In the present work, the change in the surface free energy of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) samples, which is produced by electron beam and gamma ray irradiation were, investigated. Mechanism of the changes in surface free energy induced by irradiations of doses ranging from 25 to 500 kGy was studied. FTIR technique was applied for sample analysis. Contact angle measurements showed that wettability and surface free energy of samples have increased with increasing the irradiation dose, where the values of droplet contact angle of the samples decrease gradually with increasing the radiation dose. The increase in the wettability and surface free energy of the irradiated samples are attributed to formation of hydrophilic groups on the polymer surface by the oxidation, which apparently occurs by exposure of irradiated samples to the air.     

Effect of 10 MeV energy of electron irradiation on Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript> doped ZnSe nanorods and their modified properties

The Fe²⁺-doped ZnSe nanorods are synthesized using simple potentiostatic mode of electrodeposition on the tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) substrate. To study the effect of electron irradiation, the 10-MeV energy has been applied on 1 % Fe²⁺-doped ZnSe nanorods with different doses such as 10, 20 and 30 kGy. After electron irradiation, structural, morphological, optical, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties have been investigated. Due to high energy electron irradiation dose, drastic changes have been observed in the morphological properties; hence, changes have been observed in photoelectrochemical properties also. Due to high-energy, nanorods are destroyed and the photoelectrochemical cell performance (PEC) has been decreased.     

Metal adsorption of gamma-irradiated carboxymethyl cellulose/polyethylene oxide blend films

Blend films of different ratios of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) were prepared by the solution casting method. To investigate the effect of irradiation on all properties of prepared blend, it was exposed to different gamma irradiation doses (10, 20, and 30?kGy). Physical properties such as gel fraction (GF) (%) and swelling (SW) (%) were investigated. It was found that the GF (%) increases with increasing irradiation dose up to 20?kGy, while SW (%) decreases with an increase in the irradiation doses for all blend compositions. Moreover, the structural and mechanical properties of the prepared films were studied. The results of the mechanical properties obtained showed that there is an improvement in these properties with an increase in both CMC and irradiation dose up to 20?kGy. The efficiency of metal ions uptake was measured using a UV spectrophotometer. The prepared films showed good tendency to absorb and release metal ions from aqueous media. Thus, the CMC/PEO film can be used in agricultural domain.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on hydrothermally synthesized barium titanate nanoparticles

The effect of gamma irradiation on hydrothermally synthesized BaTiO₃ nanoparticles has been investigated. Gamma irradiation was carried out at room temperature from 0, 50, 100, 150, 200?kGy to a maximum dose up to 250?kGy, source being ⁶⁰Co gamma radiations. The structure, size and chemical changes of the BaTiO₃ were studied using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) techniques and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical band gap has been computed by UV–Visible spectroscopy data. From the results obtained, it is evident that the gamma irradiation increases the crystallinity, whereas the particle size of BaTiO₃ nanoparticles is altered. UV–Visible spectroscopy shows a noticeable change in the energy band gap due to gamma irradiation. Significant changes in anharmonicity constant computed using FTIR data due to irradiation has been observed. SEM shows the size and deviation from uniformity of particles.     

4H-SiC探测器的γ辐照影响研究

为研究4H-SiC探测器的抗γ辐照性能,使用40万Ci级的60Co源对4H-SiC探测器进行了数次辐照,累积辐照剂量最大为1 MGy(Si),并在辐照后对4H-SiC的性能进行了测试。随着累积辐照剂量增加,4H-SiC探测器的正向电流增大,而反向电流恰好相反;根据4H-SiC探测器的正向I-V曲线可提取理想因子和肖特基势垒,理想因子从1.87增加到2.18,肖特基势垒从1.93 V减小至1.69 V;4H-SiC探测器对241Am源产生的α粒子进行探测时,探测器的电荷收集率从95.65%退化到93.55%,测得能谱的能量分辨率由1.81%退化到2.32%。4H-SiC探测器在受到1 MGy(Si)的γ辐照后,与未受到辐照时相比,在探测能量为5.486 MeV的α粒子时能量分辨率和电荷收集率仅退化了28.18%和2.2%,仍具备优良的探测性能。     

Color changes in CR-39 nuclear track detector by gamma and laser irradiation

A study of the effect of gamma and laser irradiation on the color changes of polyallyl diglycol (CR-39) solid-state nuclear track detector was performed. CR-39 detector samples were classified into two main groups. The first group was irradiated with gamma doses at levels between 20 and 300 kGy, whereas the second group was exposed to infrared laser radiation with energy fluences at levels between 0.71 and 8.53 J/cm². The transmission of these samples in the wavelength range 300–2500 nm, as well as any color changes, was studied. Using the transmission data, both the tristimulus and the coordinate values of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) LAB were calculated. Also, the color differences between the non-irradiated samples and those irradiated with different gamma or laser doses were calculated. The results indicate that the CR-39 detector acquires color changes under gamma or laser irradiation, but it has more response to color changes by gamma irradiation. In addition, structural property studies using infrared spectroscopy were performed. The results indicate that the irradiation of a CR-39 detector with gamma or laser radiations causes the cleavage of the carbonate linkage that can be attributed to the ?H abstraction from the backbone of the polymer, associated with the formation of CO₂ and ?OH with varying intensities.     

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.      

Radiation effect on optical,morphological and magnetic properties of aluminum-substituted M phase barium hexaferrite

The effect of gamma irradiation on the features of aluminum-substituted barium hexagonal ferrite particles BaAl_xFe_12?xO₁₉ with 0?≤?x?≤?3.5 has been studied. Optical absorption measurements have been performed and the results reflected a great dependence of the fundamental absorption edge on the radiation dose. It is found that the calculated optical band gap (E_g) increases due to an increase in the homogeneity with an increase in the Al content. Increasing the radiation dose up to 1?MGy induces a direct transition and consequently decreases the energy gap. This behavior is associated with the generation of excess electronic localized states. Moreover, the characteristic features of the irradiated samples have been studied using a scanning electron microscope. Also, all samples were characterized using the X-ray diffraction technique, and the values of crystal size, microstrain and dislocation density were calculated. On the other hand, the magnetic behavior of the samples was studied using a vibrating sample magnetometer technique after each radiation dose. The saturation magnetization (M_s) and the magneton number (n_B) decrease with an increase in the Al³⁺ substitution and at the same time decrease with the radiation dose 250?kGy to 1?MGy.     

Temperature and 8 MeV electron irradiation effects on GaAs solar cells

GaAs solar cells hold the record for the highest single band-gap cell efficiency. Successful application of these cells in advanced space-borne systems demand characterization of cell properties like dark current under different ambient conditions and the stability of the cells against particle irradiation in space. In this paper, the results of the studies carried out on the effect of 8 MeV electron irradiation on the electrical properties of GaAs solar cells are presented. The I–V (current-voltage) characteristics of the cells under dark and AM1.5 illumination condition are studied and 8 MeV electron irradiation was carried out on the cells where they were exposed to graded doses of electrons from 1 to 100 kGy. The devices were also characterized using capacitance measurements at various frequencies before and after irradiation. The effect of electron irradiation on the solar cell parameters was studied. It is found that only small changes were observed in the GaAs solar cell parameters up to an electron dose of 100 kGy, exhibiting good tolerance for electrons of 8 MeV energy.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on structural,morphological and luminescence properties of cerium-doped Y3Al5O12 nano-material

ABSTRACT

Cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG: Ce³⁺) nanopowder phosphors have been elaborated by sol–gel process and annealed at 900°C for 2?h. The prepared phosphors were exposed to gamma radiation, using ⁶⁰Co source, at different doses ranging from 5 to 100?kGy. The influence of γ-irradiation on the structural, morphological and luminescence properties of YAG: Ce³⁺ phosphors were investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction, ?eld emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and photoluminescence measurements. The XRD analysis confirmed the presence of single cubic phase for all samples of YAG: Ce³⁺ nanophosphors independent of γ-rays dose. FESEM micrograph results revealed that the particles present flate-like shapes and high density of dislocation for sample irradiated at 100?kGy of γ-ray. The YAG: Ce³⁺ nanophosphors showed broad green–yellow emission band in the range of 450–700?nm with maximum intensity at 538?nm assigned to the 5d → 4f transitions of Ce³⁺ ion. The emission intensity of YAG: Ce³⁺ phosphors vary with the γ-ray irradiation and reach the maximum for sample irradiated to a dose of 25?kGy. The variation of luminescence intensity is related to the crystallite size and Ce⁴⁺ ions content in YAG host nanomaterial.     

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.