Effects of ionizing radiation on epoxy,graphite fiber,and epoxy/graphite fiber composites. Part II: Radical types and radical decay behavior

Electron spin resonance (ESR) investigations of line shapes and radical decay behavior have been made on an epoxy based on tetraglycidyl diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM)/diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS), T-300 graphite fiber, and T-300/5208 (graphite fiber/epoxy) composites after irradiation with Co₆₀ γ-radiation or 0.5 MeV electrons. Two kinetically distinct radical species are found in the irradiated epoxy as the temperature is raised beyond 120 K following irradiation of samples at 77 K with Co₆₀ γ. One has been termed a fast-decaying species and the other a slow-decaying species. The ratio of fast-decaying/slow-decaying radicals increases as the decay temperature rises. The fast-decaying radicals at room temperature are attributed largely to alkyl type radicals residing in regions of relatively low crosslink density, while the long-lived radicals are attributed to radicals residing in the highly crosslinked regions of the epoxy. A large concentration (ca. 10₂₀ to 10₂₁ spins/g) of unpaired electrons was found in unirradiated graphite fiber which masked the ESR spectral change in irradiated composites.     

ESR STUDY OF FREE RADICALS IN IRRADIATED POLYAMIDE-1010

Polyamide-1010 samples were irradiated in vacuum at room temperature by Cobalt-60 γ-rays. The free radicals formed in irradiation were studied by means of electron spin resonance (ESR)techniques.The ESRspectra consisted of a quartet and a superimposed singlet which were attributed to radical -CO-NH-CH-CH_2 and -CH_2-C=O, respectively. The effects of temperature and crystaUinity on the radicals were discussed and the mechanism for the production and decay of the radicals was also proposed.     

ESR study of free radicals in mango

An electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic study of radicals induced in irradiated fresh mangoes was performed. Mangoes in the fresh state were irradiated with γ-rays, lyophilized and then crushed into a powder. The ESR spectrum of the powder showed a strong main peak at g = 2.004 and a pair of peaks centered at the main peak. The main peak was detected from both flesh and skin specimens. This peak height gradually decreased during storage following irradiation. On the other hand, the side peaks showed a well-defined dose–response relationship even at 9 days post-irradiation. The side peaks therefore provide a useful means to define the irradiation of fresh mangoes.     

Identification and dosimetric features of γ-irradiated cefadroxil by electron spin resonance

In the present work, electron spin resonance (ESR) identification of γ-irradiated cefadroxil monohydrate (CM), duricef capsule (DC) and duricef suspension (DS) and their potential use as normal and/or accidental dosimetric materials were investigated in the dose range of 1–25 kGy. Although unirradiated samples did not exhibit any ESR signals, irradiated samples were observed to present ESR spectra with many resonance lines originating from radiation induced radical or radicals. Dose-response curves associated with the resonance peak heights of CM (I₁, I₂) and DS (I₃, I₄, I₅, I₆) were found to follow linear and power functions of applied radiation dose, respectively. Simulation calculations were performed to determine the structure and spectral parameters of the radiation-induced radicalic species involved in the formation of experimental ESR spectrum of CM using, as input, the room temperature signal intensity data obtained for a sample irradiated at dose of 10 kGy. Kinetic behaviors and activation energies of the radicalic species were also calculated using the data obtained from annealing studies performed at five different temperatures. The presence of detectable signal intensities even after a storage period of 100 days was considered as providing an opportunity in the discrimination of irradiated CM and DS from unirradiated ones. Basing on room temperature signal intensity decay and dose–response data, it was concluded that CM and DS present the features of a good dosimetric material.     

Comparison of photo- and radiation-induced radical formation in polyethylene by ESR spectroscopy

The behaviors of free radicals produced in polyethylene irradiated with ultraviolet light and electron beams were compared in connection with primary processes of radical formation and trapping regions of free radicals. In the case of irradiation with ultraviolet light, an ESR spectrum observed at ?196°C immediately after irradiation is an eight-line spectrum due to alkyl radicals of the type ? CH₂? ?H? CH₃, while in the case of ionizing radiation, a six-line spectrum due to ? CH₂? ?H? CH₂? was observed. The former radicals are produced by the Norrish type I reaction of the carbonyl groups contained in the polymer, followed by radical rearrangement; and the latter are formed by dissociation of hydrogen atom from the excited state of the polymer or ion-molecular reactions. From the sensitivity to oxygen molecules, it was deduced that free radicals are trapped in amorphous regions after ultraviolet irradiation, but mainly in crystalline regions after irradiation with electron beams. Saturation studies of ESR spectra seem to support this conclusion.     

Irradiated bivalve mollusks: Use of EPR spectroscopy for identification and dosimetry

High energy radiation treatment of foodstuff for microbial control and shelf-life extension is being used in many countries. However, for consumer protection and information, the European Union has adopted the Directives 1999/2/EC and 1999/3/EC to harmonize the rules concerning the treatment and trade of irradiated foods in EU countries. Among the validated methods to detect irradiated foods the EU directives also include Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR/ESR) spectroscopy.We describe herein the use of EPR for identification of four species of bivalve mollusks, i.e. brown Venus shells (Callista chione), clams (Tapes semidecussatus), mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Ostrea edulis) irradiated with ⁶⁰Co γ-rays. EPR could definitely identify irradiated seashells due to the presence of long-lived free radicals, primarily CO₂⁻, CO₃³⁻, SO₂⁻ and SO₃⁻ radical anions. The presence of other organic free radicals, believed to originate from conchiolin, a scleroprotein present in the shells, was also ascertained. The use of one of these radicals as a marker for irradiation of brown Venus shells and clams can be envisaged. We also propose a dosimetric protocol for the reconstruction of the administered dose in irradiated oysters.     

ESR spectra of irradiated polyacrylic acid

In view of the interest in acrylic acid co-polymerized with other polymers by radiation to promote enhanced crosslinking, a knowledge of the intermediate reaction products is highly desirable. ESR techniques have been used to study the nature and stability of the radicals formed. Acrylic acid was polymerized by exposure to gamma radiation; the nature of the radicals, their decay at various temperatures, and the effect of inhibitors were investigated.The ESR spectrum at room temperature is similar to that described by earlier workers; its dependence on temperature and impurities, as well as its decay, were investigated. From this work, there is reason to believe that the described triplet also contains a central singlet of ΔH_ms19 G; the addition of impurities to the acrylic acid causes the triplet to decay more rapidly, thus leaving the predominant singlet mentioned above. It was also found that the lines in the outer “wings” of the irradiated specimen disappear on heating; at the same time a new line, possibly a singlet of ΔH_ms131 G, either became more intense or more obvious. Some tentative explanations of this behaviour are advanced.     

含氟烷基氧杂磺酸钾盐快速电子辐照自由基衰变

本文报导了用电子自旋共振谱研究一些含氟烷基氧杂磺酸钾盐经快速电子辐照后自由基衰变的情况。真空辐照和空气中辐照的剂量均为7.2×10~6rad。辐照后的全氟和多氟化合物于室温下放置2～12天后,其自由基浓度为10~(18)spin No./g,放置88天后,自由基浓度与前相同,基本无变化。而十二烷基磺酸钠辐照后生成的自由基,在室温下却很快衰变。辐照后生成的自由基具有反应活性,可以引发苯乙烯的聚合反应。     

Degradation behavior of poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) films through gamma-ray irradiation

Gamma-ray irradiation is a very useful tool to improve the physicochemical properties of various biodegradable polymers without the use of a heating and crosslinking agent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degradation behavior of poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) depending on the applied gamma-ray irradiation doses. PLGA films prepared through a solvent casting method were irradiated with gamma radiation at various irradiation doses. The irradiation was performed using 60Co gamma-ray doses of 25–500 kGy at a dose rate of 10 kGy/h.The degradation of irradiated films was observed through the main chain scission. Exposure to gamma radiation dropped the average molecular weight (M_n and M_w), and weakened the mechanical strength. Thermograms of irradiated film show various changes of thermal properties in accordance with gamma-ray irradiation doses. Gamma-ray irradiation changes the morphology of the surface, and improves the wettability. In conclusion, gamma-ray irradiation will be a useful tool to control the rate of hydrolytic degradation of these PLGA films.     

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.     

ESR and spin trapping of free radicals produced in poly U and poly A using the boron-neutron capture reaction

Powdered samples of poly U and poly A containing sodium tetraborate and controls without tetraborate were irradiated at room temperature with thermal neutrons. Radical formation occurred only in the samples containing tetraborate. Thermal neutrons interact with ¹⁰B (10% naturally occurring in tetraborate) via the boron-neutron capture reaction. This reaction generates α particles and ⁷Li ions with mean kinetic energies of 1.48 and 0.85 MeV, respectively. The identification and location of the free radicals produced by the interaction of these particles with poly U and poly A, was determined by ESR and spin trapping using the spin trap 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP). Following dissolution of irradiated poly U in an MNP solution, the spin trapped poly U was hydrolyzed with base (NaOH, pH 12.6). On readjusting the pH to pH 7.5 the spin adduct ESR spectrum showed that in poly U, radical formation occurs at the C(6) carbon of the uracil residues. For poly A the solid state ESR spectrum suggests that radicals are formed at the N(3) and/or N(7) nitrogens and at the C(4) and/or C(5) carbons. However, only the C(5) carbon-centered radicals were spin trapped. In addition, the results for poly A indicate that sugar-phosphate backbone is disrupted by the α particles and ⁷Li ions. The nature of this interactions is still unclear.     

Electron spin resonance detection of radiosterilization of pharmaceuticals: application to four nitrofurans

The detection and dosimetry of radiosterilization of pharmaceuticals is a growing concern to numerous government regulatory agencies worldwide. In the absence of suitable detection methods, attention was focused on electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry. This paper reports experimental data on ESR dosimetry of irradiated nitrofurans (nitrofurantoin, nifuroxazide, nifurzide and nifurtoinol). Whereas the ESR spectrum of a non-irradiated sample shows no signal, a signal, that is dependent on the irradiation dose is observed with irradiated samples. The number of free radicals was calculated by comparing the second integral from radiosterilized samples and a Bruker strong pitch reference; the values were in the range 1.1 x 10(18)-1.5 x 10(19) radicals mol-1 (G = 0.003-0.03). In addition to qualitative detection, ESR spectrometry can be used for dose determination. When a bi-exponential function is applied to the variation of the peak-to-peak amplitude versus dose, the function correlates well with the data. However, an exponential function, easier to use than a bi-exponential function, will probably be sufficient for dose determination by retrospective dosimetry. Decay of radicals upon storage was modelled using a bi-exponential function. From this, the time limit from the irradiation (25 kGy) for identification of irradiated nitrofurans by ESR can be evaluated. With regard to the commercial aspects of drugs, radicals should be detected up to 2 years after irradiation. The kinetic decrease makes discrimination between irradiated and non-irradiated nitrofurans possible even after storage for up to 2 years, except for nifurtoinol.     

Observation of the degradation due to irradiation of CR 39 polymer by long-term monitoring of mass loss

We γ-irradiated CR 39 of three thicknesses with 51–3311 kGy. Mass loss during irradiation repeated the three-step pattern observed by Li et al. [Li, S.M., Garreau, H., Vert, M., 1990. Structure-property relationships in the case of the degradation of massive aliphatic poly(α-hydroxy acids) in aqueous media. J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Med. 1, 123–139.] from thick PLA50. Mass loss following irradiation in thin CR 39 repeated the observations of Grizzi et al. [Grizzi, I., Garreau, H., Li, S., Vert, M., 1995. Hydrolytic degradation of devices based on poly(d,l-lactic acid) size-dependence. Biomaterials 16, 305–311.] in thin PLA50, whereas in thicker samples, it followed second-order kinetics. The graph of total mass loss per unit dose against dose absorbed displays the step-wise pattern from ESR spectroscopy [Nara, S., Shimada, S., Kashiwabara, H., Sohma, J., 1968. Relation of the decay of free radicals in irradiated polyethylene to the molecular motion of the polymer and the configuration of the free radicals. J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Phys. Ed. 6, 1435–1449.]. The implications for drug release from γ-irradiated microcapsules is discussed.     

Photo-stability of photo-cured organic coatings: Part I—Secondary reactions in thioxanthone/amine photo-cured organic coatings

Luminescence measurements on 2-iso-propylthioxanthone (ITX) in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film as a model system were carried out to study the secondary reactions of ITX during and after photocrosslinking of organic coatings. The energy of the lowest excited triplet state (T₁) of ITX was calculated to be E₁₁ = 62·2 kcal/mol. The ITX triplet lifetime in a PMMA film was calculated from the phosphorescence decay to be τ = 1·0 ms. Irradiation of a PMMA film containing 4 mm ITX resulted in rapid photoreduction of the aromatic ketone. In a PMMA-benzene solution, studied for comparison, the photo-reduction rate was lower than in film. Triplet excited ITX may decompose peroxides by an energy transfer process. As the model system a mixture of tert-butylhydroperoxide and di-tert-butylperoxide was irradiated with uv light in the presence of ITX in benzene solution. This was found to give tert-butoxy radicals. The same radicals were formed by irradiation of a PMMA sample containing peroxides. The radicals formed were identified and measured using ESR spectroscopy combined with the spin trapping technique. The investigations reported here have established evidence for two important secondary reactions in the photo-curing of organic coatings using thioxanthone/amine as the initiating system: photo-reduction of ITX by hydrogen abstraction from the polymer and photo-decomposition of peroxides and hydroperoxides sensitized by thioxanthone.     

Gamma irradiation effects on poly(hydroxybutyrate)

Brazilian poly(hydroxybutyrate), PHB, as well as its copolymer, poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate), P(HB-co-HV), containing 6.3 mol% of valerate, were irradiated with γ radiation (⁶⁰Co) at ambient temperature and in the presence of oxygen. The viscosity-average molar mass (M_v) was analyzed by the viscosity technique using an Ostwald-type capillary viscometer. The polymers showed a decrease in molar mass with the increase in dose, reflecting the scissions that occurred at random in the main chain. The value G (scissions/100 eV of energy transferred to the system) and the parameter α (scissions per original molecule) were also obtained by the viscosity technique. The melting temperature (T_m) was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and showed a decrease with increasing irradiation dose. Analyses of DSC also revealed double endothermic peaks, associated with the polymorphic transitions, which became a single peak with increased dose. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) revealed small differences between the decomposition temperatures of the irradiated and non-irradiated samples. The degree of crystallinity of PHB samples, on the other hand, which were obtained by the DSC and X-ray diffraction techniques, increased with the irradiation dose. Changes in the lattice parameter of the irradiated samples and in the size of the crystallites were also observed by X-ray diffraction. The samples used in this work did not pass through any purification process and were analyzed in powder form, exactly as they arrived from the factory.     

ESR studies of photosensitized degradation of poly(L‐lactic acid) via photoionization of dopant

The photosensitized degradation of poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLA) via an anionic reaction process was studied using spectrophotometry, electron spin resonance (ESR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. PLA film doped with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (TMPD) was irradiated at 77 K using UV light (λ_c = 356 nm) by which the PLA matrix itself cannot be directly excited. After photoirradiation, a new broad absorption band appeared over the original spectrum due to TMPD⁺ ·, which was produced by two‐photon ionization. The ESR spectrum of the irradiated sample indicated the presence of the TMPD⁺ · radical and main‐chain scission radical of PLA. During the thermal annealing at 0 °C, the latter radical changed to another radical species by dehydrogenation of the alpha hydrogen of the PLA main chain. TMPD⁺ · was extremely stable at room temperature for 7 d. However, by thermal annealing at 40 °C, all the radicals decayed due to the enhanced molecular motions near T_g of PLA (58.7 °C). Spectral simulation for the obtained ESR spectra revealed the relative amounts of four radicals: TMPD⁺ ·, a main‐chain scission radical, a main‐chain tertiary radical, and an unknown radical. The last one was tentatively assigned to the PLA radical anion because of its short decay time. GPC measurements clearly indicated a decrease in the molecular weight of PLA after irradiation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 706–714, 2001     

Electron-spin relaxation phenomena in irradiated saccharides detected by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

We measured the relaxation times of radicals in saccharides upon γ-irradiation by means of X-band pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We found that the field-swept signal of irradiated fructose by pulsed EPR showed three to four peaks depending on the dose. The relaxation times (T₁ and T₂) of the side peaks were longer than those of the main peak(s) from each irradiation, indicating that the radicals showing side peaks interact less with the surrounding environment. From relaxation time measurements of several irradiated saccharides, we conclude that T₂ relaxation times decrease with the increasing irradiation dose. In contrast, T₁ relaxation times show no correlation with the irradiation dose.     

ESR study of free radicals in UHMW-PE fiber irradiated by gamma rays

ESR spectra of the trapped radicals in an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) fiber irradiated by gamma rays showed well-resolved hyperfine splitting at room temperature since the c-axis of the crystallites is aligned with the fiber direction and the radicals are trapped in crystallites. The alkyl radical (?CH₂?^?CH?CH₂?) was the major product after irradiation in vacuum and in air at room temperature. Some of the alkyl radicals converted to allyl radicals (?CH₂?^?CH?CH=CH?) and polyenyl radicals (?CH₂?^?CH?(CH=CH)_n?CH₂?) during storage in vacuum. Upon storage in air atmosphere, the alkyl radicals decayed by reaction with oxygen. Of particular interest is the very slow decay rate of the alkyl radical trapped in UHMW-PE fiber, the half-life is 26 days in vacuum, and 13 days in air at room temperature, which is about 1/30 and 1/100 of that reported for high density polyethylene (HDPE), respectively. The extremely long lifetime of the alkyl radical is supposed to be caused by the large size of crystallites in UHMW-PE fiber. The rate of radical decay was accelerated by annealing at elevated temperature.     

Thermoluminescence of irradiated polystyrene

Thermoluminescence of irradiated polystyrene has been studied in the temperature range 100 to 440°K. Three glow peaks with maximum at 160, 221, and 378°K have been observed. These peaks are analyzed by different methods and the activation energies which were obtained are compared. The activation energies are found to be 0.22, 0.48, and 1.45 eV for the peaks with maxima at 160, 221, and 378°K, respectively. Second-order kinetics is appropriate to all these cases. The glow peaks are attributed to the decay of the free radicals formed on irradiation and subsequent thermal stimulation. The peak with the maximum at 160°K is attributed to electron trapping by the carbonyl groups or peroxy radicals formed on irradiation. The curve with the peak at 221°K is attributed to the cyclohexadienyl radical, and the curve with the peak at 378°K is attributed to the chain radical ? CH₂? C (C₆H₅)? CH₂? . The centers responsible for the observed thermoluminescence are identified by correlation with electron spin resonance (ESR) data obtained on the same samples.     

Electron beam irradiated textile cellulose fibres.: ESR studies and derivatisation with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)

Powdered samples of cotton, flax and viscose from textile fibres were subjected to electron beam irradiation (20-400 KGy). ESR signals were observed after irradiation. The intensity of the signals depended on the administered dose and exhibited an exponential decay with time. The ESR spectra, whose pattern depended drastically on the crystallinity of the samples, indicated the simultaneous presence of at least three carbon-centred radical species. When the whole irradiated textile fibres were quenched in a solution of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) a significant increase of the weight was observed, the increase being strongly dependent on the administered dose and on the time interval elapsed between irradiation and quenching. Spectroscopic characterisation evidenced that GMA acted as cellulose radicals scavenger on the unsubstituted carbon of the double bond and was covalently linked to the fibre through a new C-C bond while maintaining unaltered the ester and the epoxide groups, available for further derivatisations. Because irradiation of the whole textile fibres in the range 20-200 KGy does not result in significant degradation of the material, GMA quenching of fibres irradiated in this dose range may represent an attractive route to their functionalisation.