Positron age–momentum correlation studies of free volumes in polymers

Positron age–momentum correlation (AMOC) spectroscopy, which can sensitively probe momentum distributions of positrons and positronium (Ps), was conducted for studying the pick-off process of the triplet bound state ortho-Ps (o-Ps) with electrons at the walls of the free volumes in polymers. Influences of different chemical elements forming free volume were investigated. It was found that the momentum distribution of o-Ps pick-off annihilation sensitively depends on the electronic state in the free volumes. The feasibility of the chemical analysis relevant to the free volume in polymers is discussed.     

Solvent and temperature effects on positronium annihilation parameters and on its quenching reactions with the free radical HTEMPO

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (LS) and the Doppler broadening of the annihilation radiation lineshape (DBARL) technique have been used in conjunction to study solvent and temperature effects on both the positronium (Ps) quenching reactions with the free-radical HTEMPO (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) and the annihilation parameters. A change in the nature of the quenching reaction is observed from spin conversion in benzene (Bz),N,N-dimethylacetamide (NDMA), andN-methylformamide (NMFA) to Ps oxidation inmeta cresol (m-C); it is attributed to a modification of the electron density distribution in the quenching molecule due to hydrogen bonding with them-C molecules. The data also indicate that the full-width at half-maximum of the momentum distribution associated to para-positronium (p-Ps) resulting from the spin conversion reaction is smaller by a factor of 2 than that forp-Ps directly formed in the positron spur. The ortho-positronium (o-Ps) pickoff lifetime and momentum distribution are shown to give access to physicochemical and structural properties of the solvents.     

Comments on the relation: positronium lifetime – free volume size parameters of the Tao–Eldrup model

The author is discussing the parameters appearing in the Tao–Eldrup (TE) model describing the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetime dependence on the size of free volume in which Ps is trapped. Parameter values are not universal, applicable to all media. The Ps penetration to the bulk should depend on Ps work function; the o-Ps decay rate is strongly influenced by the contact density factor.     

Delayed formation and localisation of positronium in polymers at low temperatures

A theoretical model of the positron annihilation lifetime spectrum including the mechanisms of slow positronium (Ps) localisation and delayed Ps formation from a positron and a trapped electron was developed. The model was applied to two series of spectra for low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) collected at constant temperature (much below the glass temperature) as a function of measurement time. The Ps internal relaxation time and time of localisation of Ps in a free volume centre were determined. The results show that after long irradiation of the polymer a dominant fraction of positrons (unbound in Ps) annihilate from the trapped states. On the basis of parameters determined from the HDPE lifetime spectra, two S(t) curves (for sample in darkness and in light) were calculated. The predicted shapes of S(t) well agree with literature data obtained with the age–momentum correlation (AMOC) experiment. According to the new model the shapes of the para-Ps and the ortho-Ps (p-Ps) components are non-exponential. In spite of this, the multi-exponential decomposition of a polymer spectrum enables to determine correctly the value of the o-Ps lifetime, however the other parameters determined from the spectrum have no simple physical meaning.     

Magnetic quenching of positronium in organic solutions

The magnetic quenching of ortho-positronium (o-Ps) in some pure nonpolar liquids (n-hexane, cyclohexane and benzene) and solutions (nitrobenzene in n-hexane, cyclohexane and benzene; and carbon tetrachloride and biphenyl in n-hexane) is examined for steady magnetic fields up to 14 kG by the positron annihilation lifetime technique. The long lifetime of o-Ps is very sensitive to the strength of the external magnetic field, decreasing as the field strength increases. This effect follows from a well-known principle of atomic physics, the quadratic Zeeman effect. With one exception, all the liquids studied here appear to be normal in this regard. The exception is nitrobenzene in n-hexane, which shows a very marked enhancement of quenching beyond the Zeeman effect at low fields.     

Interpretation of positron lifetime spectra arising from micellar solutions: Determination of the ortho-positronium diffusion coefficient in the solvent

Positron lifetime spectra arising from micellar solutions of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) are interpreted in terms of a classical positronium diffusion model published earlier. Unlike the generally accepted assumptions, this model results in a non-exponential ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetime density function. A new method is presented for the simultaneous fitting of this lifetime density function to independent lifetime spectra recorded under the same experimental conditions. Among the fit parameters D_p, the diffusion coefficient of o-Ps in the solvent (i.e. heavy water) phase is studied in detail; a detailed error analysis for D_p is also given. Provided that the mean aggregation number of SDS micelles is about 60, the published D_p values show that the diffusion coefficient of o-Ps in (heavy) water at room temperature is lower than that of small ions and molecules and the Arrhenius plot indicates a strong o-Ps localization in the solvent. The hydrodynamic radius of o-Ps is calculated from the o-Ps and micellar diffusion coefficients and from the micellar radius; it is greater than that of small ions and molecules and this can be considered as an independent indirect proof for the existence of o-Ps bubble in the (heavy) water.     

Further studies of the spur process of positronium formation in mixtures of organic liquids

To test some predictions of the spur model of positronium (Ps) formation, positron lifetime studies were made of the following binary organic mixtures: (a) carbondisulphide mixtures with n-tetradecane, n-hexane, isooctane, neopentane, and tetramethylsilane (TMS); (b) neopentane mixtures with methanol, ethanol, cyclohexanol, and methylcyclohexane; (c) cis-2-butene/trans-2-butene, and benzene/ethanol. The results were in agreement with the model. A minimum in the Ps yield versus CS₂ concentration, explained as being caused by electron localization on CS₂ at low and delocalization on several CS₂ molecules at higher CS₂ concentration, depended on the electron work function V_o of the solvent. This minimum was pronounced (shallow or absent) at high (low) V_o. Solvation of electrons and positrons in alcohol clusters strongly influenced the Ps yield for the neopentane mixtures. The Ps yield was higher in cis- than in trans-2-butene. The Ps formation process in polar liquids is discussed. Experiment facts do not preclude that Ps is also formed by the encounter pair process of fully solvated particles in the positron spur.     

Free volumes in solids under high pressure

A review of experimental work on ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetime in solids under the pressures up to 1 GPa is presented. Among the effects observed at high pressure one can mention: the disappearance of the energy level for Ps at the reduction of free volume size; pressure induced phase transitions; variation of Ps formation intensity with time; increase of o-Ps lifetime after intercalation of high pressure gas to the paraffin samples.     

comments on the paper “contribution of quantum effects to the mechanism of positronium reactions”

Some results recently published on the o-Ps quenching reactions promoted by FeCl₂ and K₂Cr₂O₇ in glycerol aqueous solutions were interpreted by supposing that a significant fraction of o-Ps atoms diffuses by a quantum-mechanical effect or in quasi-free states even at room temperature. It is shown that the results can be interpreted in a different manner, so they cannot be invoked for supporting the hypotheses mentioned above about the mechanism of o-Ps diffusion at room temperature.     

Influence of vinylidenefluoride on the physical ageing of poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene)

The influence of vinylidenefluoride (3% composition) on the physical ageing of poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) at 70 °C has been investigated using the positron annihilation lifetime technique. Both the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) pick-off lifetime and its intensity show a systematic variation with ageing time. The o-Ps intensity exhibits non-exponential character which can be fitted with two additive exponential decay curves and the free volume is found to exhibit the Doolittle type of free volume relaxation. The relaxation times were evaluated from the structural relaxation function and the non-exponentiality parameter was estimated using the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) function, which indicates the deviation from exponential relaxation. Based on the relaxation times, the activation energies calculated seems to label the different kinetic units/irregularity in the chain backbone of PCTFE structure participating in the relaxation process. Physical ageing seems to yield close packing of polymer chains.     

On the reactions of ortho-positronium with methylmaleic and methylfumaric acids

The o-Ps quenching reactions promoted by methylmaleic (citraconic) and methylfumaric (mesaconic) acids were investigated in aqueous solutions in order to compare their rate constants with those of maleic and fumaric acids. As expected, it was found that the rate constants of citraconic and mesaconic acids are almost equal and are much less than that of maleic acid, which in turn is less than that of fumaric acid. Moreover, it was ascertained that while the o-Ps quenching reactions promoted by maleic and fumaric acids seem to be diffusion controlled, the quenching reactions promoted by citraconic acid are kinetically controlled, its activation energy being 0.45±0.03 eV, which is significantly greater than the activation energy of diffusion-controlled reactions occurring in water, 0.18±0.01 eV.     

Positron annihilation in pivalic acid. Temperature dependence of angular correlation curves

Positron annihilation angular correlation curves have been measured as a function of temperature for trimethylacetic (pivalic) acid in both the brittle and plastic phases. A simple fitting of the data to a sum of three gaussians shows the presence of a narrow component due to para-positronium (p-Ps) annihilation. In the brittle phase the intensity of the narrow component is inconsistent with previous positron lifetime data. A more detailed analysis, requiring consistency with the lifetime data, results in the determination of the shapes of the angular correlation components for free positron-, pick-off-, and p-Ps intrinsic annihilation. The p-Ps component has a width (fwhm) of 3.75 mrad in the brittle phase, probably due to Ps self-trapping or trapping in defects smaller than molecular vacancies. In the plastic phase the width (fwhm) is 3.25 mrad which is ascribed to Ps localization in vacancies and divacancies in accordance with positron lifetime data.     

Detection of free volumes in polyaniline complexes with various acids by using positron lifetime spectroscopy

The positron lifetime spectroscopy (PLS), a non-destructive characterization method, utilizes positronium (Ps; an electron–positron bound state) as a probe and measures its lifetime in polymer free volumes. For the first time the free volumes have been estimated by PLS in polyaniline (PANI) complexes with various inorganic and organic acids. It was found that the o-Ps lifetime increases and the intensity decreases with increasing ionic radius of the counter-ions in PANI complexes. Obviously, larger counter anions result in enhanced mean size of the voids corresponding to the free volume in the bulk polymer.Electrical conductivity has been measured by conventional four-probe technique. The glass transition temperature and temperature of removal of the absorbed water have been determined by using differential scanning calorimetry. It was established fairly well correlation of the mentioned polymer parameters with the o-Ps lifetime and the free volume of PANI complexes, respectively. The greater free-volume results in a decrease of conductivity, glass transition temperature and temperature of removal of the absorbed water.     

On the o-Ps quenching reaction promoted by K2CrO4 in aqueous sucrose solutions

The o-Ps quenching reaction promoted by K₂CrO₄ was investigated in different sucrose aqueous solutions to confirm the influence of the dielectric constant of the reaction medium on the rate constant of the o-Ps diffusion-controlled reaction. The results obtained support the existence of such an effect. Its implications for the procedure usually applied for ascertaining if a reaction is diffusion controlled are briefly discussed.     

The use of positron lifetime measurements in a study of electron scavenging by a range of radiosensitizer compounds

Positron lifetime measurements were made in aqueous solutions of a number of radiosensitizer compounds in order to measure the o-Ps inhibition and quenching constants. By making measurements in the presence and in the absence of perchloric acid, the inhibiting effects on the o-Ps yield due to epithermal and trapped electrons could be determined on the basis of the spur model. Inhibition constants relating to the scavenging by the sensitizer molecule of epithermal electrons. (K₁) and traped electrons, (K₂) were found for eight basic nitroimidazoles. The results are also discussed in terms of electron trap depth which is here taken to be equivalent to the one-electron redox potential, E¹₇. It is concluded that o-Ps lifetime measurements alone are not capable of determining the finer details of these spur reactions. Estimates of the respective yields of RS^- and OH^. species in oxygen and R—NO₂ compounds show that these are not able to explain the large differences in sensitizing efficiency.     

Positronium chemistry in porous materials

Porous materials have fascinated positron and positronium chemists for over decades. In the early 1970s it was already known that ortho-positronium (o-Ps) exhibits characteristic long lifetimes in silica gels, porous glass and zeolites. Since then, our understanding of Ps formation, diffusion and annihilation has been drastically deepened. Ps is now well recognized as a powerful porosimetric and chemical probe to study the average pore size, pore size distribution, pore connectivity and surface properties of various porous materials including thin films. In this paper, developments of Ps chemistry in porous materials undertaken in the past some 40 yr are surveyed and problems to be addressed in future are briefly discussed.     

Diffusion and localization of o-Ps in D2O determined from positron annihilation in SDS micellar solutions

A microscopic diffusion model is presented for the determination of orthopositronium (o-Ps) lifetime in micellar solutions. Among other parameters, the lifetime density function depends on the o-Ps diffusion coefficient in the water phase. Orthopositronium diffusion coefficients are determined by fitting this lifetime density function to positron annihilation spectra obtained from 1 mol/dm³ solution of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) in D₂O at different temperatures. The activation energy of the o-Ps diffusion in D₂O obtained from an Arrhenius plot as E_a = 0.9₂₂ ± 0.1₀₃ eV indicates strong localization.     

Positronium inhibition and quenching by organic electronic acceptors and charge transfer complexes

Positron lifetime measurements were performed on a series of organic electron acceptors and charge-transfer complexes in solution. The acceptors cause both positronium (Ps) inhibition (with maybe one exception) and quenching, but when an acceptor takes part in a charge-transfer complex the inhibition intensifies and the quenching almost vanishes. The reaction constants between ortho-Ps and the acceptors were determinded to be: 1.5 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for SO₂ in dioxane 3.7 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for SO₂ in n-heptane, 3.4 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for tetracyanoquinodimethane in tetrahydrofurane and 1.6 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for tetracyanoethylene in dioxane. From the ortho-Ps lifetimes in solutions containing charge-transfer complexes complexity constants were determined that were in reasonable agreement with constants obtained from optical data. The influence of acceptors and charge-transfers complexes on the Ps yield was interpreted in terms of the spur reaction model of Ps formation. Correlation was also made to gas phase reaction between electron acceptors and free electron, as well as to pulse radiolysis data.     

Excess volumes of mixing of 1,2-dichloroethane and aromatic hydrocarbons

Excess volumes of mixing, V^E, for binary mixtures of 1,2-dichloroethane with benzene, toluene, o^?, m^?, and p-xylenes have been determined at 308.15 K over the complete composition range. V^E is positive for all these mixtures and varies in the order m-xylene >o-xylene >p-xylene > benzene > toluene. The experimental data have been analyzed in terms of the Prigogine's average potential cell model coupled with Balescu's theory. The calculated V^E values do not agree with the corresponding experimental values.     

A positron lifetime and Doppler-broadening study of positron states and free volume in polyethylene

Positron lifetime (LT) and Doppler-broadening (DB) studies of polyethylene have been performed simultaneously in the temperature range between 80 and 300 K. The LT spectra have been analysed assuming four exponential components. Two long-lived components appear, which were attributed too-Ps pick-off annihilation in crystalline regions (₃ = 0.9 to 1.2 ns) and at free-volume holes in the amorphous phase ( to 2.8), The variation in ₄ correponds to an increase of the mean hole size from 0.053 nm³ at 80 K to 0.188 nm³ at 300 K. From the data the glass transition temperature (T _g=195 K), the coefficient of thermal expansion of holes in the glassy and rubbery phase ( _{h, g} = 14.5 · 10^–4 K^–1 and _{h, r} = 189 · 10^–4 K^–1) and the fractional free volume (2.8% to 10.4%) were estimated. The DB curves were fitted by a sum of three Gaussians, the narrowest of which is assumed to represent the self-annihilation ofp-Ps localised at holes. The intensity of the narrow component,I _n, varies between 0 and 7.3% in a similar way as the LT intensityI _4/3 varies. From this it was concluded that other Ps reactions beside pick-off are not important. Further, it was shown that the average positron lifetime is dominated by theo-Ps component,T _{4 g}, while the behaviour of the DB peak height is mainly affected by thep-Ps narrow componentI _n .