Effect of fast neutron irradiation on the structural and optical properties of Makrofol DE 1-1 CC polycarbonate

Samples from sheets of the polymeric material Makrofol DE 1-1 CC have been exposed to neutrons of incident energy in the range of 0.8–19.2 MeV. The modifications induced in Makrofol samples due to neutron irradiation have been studied through different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity, refractive index and color difference studies. Infrared spectroscopy indicated that cross-linking is the dominant mechanism in the energy range of 2.3–19.2 MeV. The cross-linking reported by FTIR spectroscopy destroyed the degree of ordering in the Makrofol samples, as revealed by the XRD technique. Also, this cross-linking led to an increase in the values of intrinsic viscosity from 0.41 to 0.68 at 28 °C, indicating an increase in the average molecular mass, associated with an increase in the refractive index. Additionally, the non-irradiated Makrofol samples showed significant color sensitivity toward neutron irradiation. The sensitivity toward neutron irradiation can be seen by the change in the blue color component of the non-irradiated Makrofol film to yellow after the samples are exposed to neutrons up to 19.2 MeV. This is accompanied by a net increase in the darkness of the samples.