Electron spin resonance study of γ-irradiated poly(acrylic acid)

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) γ-irradiated in air at room temperature and recorded at room temperature and at liquid-nitrogen temperature have been studied to identify the radiation products. The ESR spectra are composed of eight lines with hyperfine splittings of 23 ± 1 G and 11 ± 1 G. The method of least-squares total curve fitting, employing the Lorentzian line shape function, to the observed spectra enabled the assignment of the spectra. Computed spectra obtained by the superposition of a singlet and the spectra due to chain radicals are considered to give the best fits to the observed ESR spectra. The singlet is assigned to the radicals COOH, and the component 10-line spectra are assigned to the chain radicals CH₃? CH? CH₂ ～ and/or ～ CH₂? CH? CH₂ ～. The observed change in line shape with temperature of the ESR spectra is attributed to the hindered oscillations of the methyl groups about the C_α? C_β bond axis of the chain radicals. The existence of the methyl groups is confirmed by the measurement of infrared absorption.     

Electron spin resonance study of γ-irradiated poly(methacrylic acid)

Low temperature relaxations in poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) have been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The observed 8 line ESR spectra of irradiated PMAA in the temperature range 77-300K (LNT-RT) is attributed to the free radicals of the type ～ CH₂? CH? CH₃. Assignment of ESR spectra to free radicals has been made on the basis of magnetic parameters employed to simulate ESR spectra at different temperatures. Further, ESR spectra below LNT have been simulated, using the set of parameters employed to simulate the experimental spectrum at LNT. Magnetic parameters of the ESR spectra at LNT and below LNT indicate γ- and δ-relaxations of PMMA chains. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of γ-irradiated polycaprolactam

The nature of the saturation is investigated for radicals trapped in a matrix of polycaprolactam. The radicals were generated with the help of a Co⁶⁰ source of -rays by irradiating evacuated samples consisting of fibers of kapron with two different structural modifications: stretched and unstretched. It is shown that, from its behavior, the broadening is intermediate between the homogeneous and inhomogeneous cases. A study was made of the effect of irradiating dosages in the interval from 1.5 Mrad to 200 Mrad on the form of the EPR spectra; as a result, it was established that with increasing dosage the form of the spectrum (quintet) is preserved, but the intensity of the middle component decreases. The saturation factor here is substantially decreased, but this effect manifests itself to different degrees for specimens of different structural modifications: in the case of the stretched fibers it is enormously stronger than in the case of the unstretched fibers. The study of saturation in the case of specimens of the two investigated modifications, subjected to identical irradiation dosages, has shown that the saturation factor is less for radicals trapped in the more ordered matrix (stretched kapron fibers). Some questions about the chemical nature of the radicals are also considered.     

Electron spin resonance of γ-irradiated poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate)

The two types of radicals trapped in γ-irradiated poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) (PEN 2,6) have been identified by ESR as ? O? CH? CH₂? O? (radical I) and a radical located on the naphthalene ring (radical II). The relative concentrations of radicals in the gross polymer are 10–20% radical I and 80–90% radical II. Similar trapped radicals have been identified in γ-irradiated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), a structurally related polymer which differs only in the aromatic moiety, but the relative radical concentrations are quite different. These results are discussed in relation to the radiation resistance of the two polymers.     

γ‐Irradiation of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene: Electron paramagnetic resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging studies of the mechanism of subsurface oxidation

The shelf aging of irradiated ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) causes subsurface oxidation, which leads to failure in UHMWPE orthopedic components, yet the mechanisms causing subsurface oxidation remain unclear. The shelf aging of γ‐irradiated UHMWPE bars has been studied with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and with microtoming and Fourier transform infrared microscopy. The bars initially contained only allyl radicals, and upon air exposure, a surface layer of peroxyl radicals formed through the reaction of allyl radicals with oxygen. Importantly, a band of low radical intensity just beneath the peroxyl layer became apparent. NMR imaging showed a zone of altered proton relaxation in this zone. With increasing time, surface peroxyl radicals persisted in comparison with the interior allyl radicals, although oxygen did not appear to penetrate any more deeply into the bar. The area of maximal oxidation and mechanical disruption, measured after 3 years, was at the interface between the zone of exterior peroxyl radicals and the zone of low radical intensity. We present a mechanism involving the intermediacy of sterically strained reactive dialkyl peroxides at this interface to explain subsurface oxidation. We also demonstrate that EPR and NMR imaging provides information that could potentially be used to identify subsurface oxidized UHMWPE components before failure. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5929–5941, 2004     

Free radicals in γ-irradiated poly-α-methylstyrene

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra were observed at ?160°C and at room temperature for γ-irradiated poly-α-methylstyrene. The spectrum observed at room temperature has been attributed to the radical species while that at ?160°C results from the same radical and superposition of the spectrum due to the radical ?H₂-C(CH₃)(C₆H₅)-. The radicals which are stable at room temperature could be used to graft vinyl acetate.     

Synthesis of γγγ-trifluorocarbonyl compounds

γγγ-Trifluorocarbonyl compounds are easily obtained in a good yield by introduction of the 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl moiety (CF₃-CH₂-) on the -methylene group of a ketone.     

ESR studies of some γ-irradiated organic crystals

Acrylamide, N-tert-butylacrylamide, and propionamide crystals were irradiated at ?196°C and the structures of radicals studied by ESR spectroscopy at various temperatures. The γ-irradiated acrylamide crystals show a five-line spectrum which is similar in shape to the signal obtained from the γ-irradiated propionamide crystals. Two types of radicals are produced in irradiated acrylamide and propionamide crystals at ?196°C. When the irradiated samples are kept at ?78°C the spectrum of propionamide remains the same, except in intensity. In contrast to this, the acrylamide spectrum changes to a triplet because of dimerization. Upon warming the irradiated acrylamide sample to between ?50 and ?30°C, some small new peaks become apparent on either side of the triplet. These new peaks disappear above ?20°C and the spectrum changes to a triplet because of polymerization. To observe the changes in the ESR spectra of γ-irradiated N-tert-butylacrylamide we kept the sample at various temperatures from ?196 to 100°C. From ?196°C to about room temperature the spectrum is a quintet. At and above 35°C, the spectrum changes to a triplet with shoulders on either side of the main peaks. With further warming above 80°C the spectrum changes to a broad triplet.     

Electron spin resonance spectra of α-sulfonyl iminoxy radicals

Syn- andanti-α-sulfonyl iminoxy radicals have been generatedin situ by lead tetra-acetate oxidation of α-oximino sulfones. The ESR spectra of the geometrical isomers have been assigned and the¹⁴N and¹H hyperfine splitting constants are discussed in terms of the proposed structures.     

Calculation of dose and dose-rate distribution for γ-irradiated materials

The utility of dose and dose-rate distribution calculation in radiation technology and technics has been described.     

ESR study of γ-irradiated 1,3,5-trithiane and its derivatives

Radicals formed in γ-irradiated 1,3,5-trithiane and its derivatives at room temperature have been studied by ESR spectroscopy. ESR evidence establishes that 1,3,5-trithiane as well as α- and β-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-trithiane yield radicals mainly by loss of the hydrogen atom, whereas α- and β-2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-trithiane and 2,4,6-trimethyl-2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-trithiane produce radicals that are parent radical cations, which are also present in small amounts in aliphatic trithianes. Furthermore, in all the spectra examined R–S^.-type radicals are observed. The probable initiation process of radiation-induced 1,3,5-trithiane polymerization is discussed briefly.     

Electron spin resonance of γ-iradiated single crystals of calcium formate

The electron spin resonance spectra of CO₂⁻ in an irradiated single crystal of calcium formate have been recorded. The ¹³C hyperfine splitting tensor has been measured and the orientation of the CO₂⁻ molecule with respect to the crystallographic axes is compared with that of the undamaged HCO₂⁻ molecules. The results show that there is a reorientation of the CO₂ group when the CH bond is broken.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility of copper compounds of d-tartaric acid

Journal of Structural Chemistry -     

Elementary radical formation and conversion processes in γ-irradiated polyvinylchloride

Elementary processes of γ-irradiated polyvinylchloride (PVC) have been investigated by both electron spin resonance (ESR) and optical absorption measurements. On irradiating PVC film with γ rays at ?196°C, alkyl-type radicals are produced. When the PVC film is warmed to room temperature, the radicals convert to polyenyl type. γ Irradiation of PVC film containing biphenyl (Ph₂) or pyrene (Py) at ?196°C yields the corresponding radical cation. The relative ESR peak heights of the radicals decrease and the G values for the formation of cation radicals increase with increasing additive concentrations. These facts indicate that energy is transferred from the precursor of the radicals to the additive. In the case of PVC film containing Py, the Py cation radical decreases and the cyclohexadienyl-type radical from Py is produced by thermal annealing. A possible mechanism for radical formation and conversion is proposed.