| Abstract: | The γ-radiation-induced crosslinking of polystyrene was studied at 30–100°C in vacuo with a dose rate of 6.35 × 105 rad/hr. The amount of hydrogen formation increased with increasing irradiation time, and the rate of the formation decreased with the time. The results were well described by the zero-order formation kinetics with respect to the hydrogen concentration combined with the first-order disappearance. The apparent rate constant for the formation of hydrogen increased somewhat with rising irradiation temperature, and the one for the disappearance was little affected by the temperature. The gel fraction increased with the time by the irradiation beyond the critical time for incipient gel formation, and the rate of gel formation decreased with the time. The gel formation was retarded by rising irradiation temperature, and only a little gel fraction was observed at 100°C. The G values for the crosslinking and main-chain scission were obtained from the gel data by using the Charlesby–Pinner equation. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of the γ-radiation-induced crosslinking of polystyrene was discussed. |
