Thermally stimulated chemiluminescence in photo-oxidized poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate)

Poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) exhibits thermally stimulated chemiluminescence after exposure to ultraviolet radiation and oxygen. The chemiluminescence spectrum is essentially the same as the fluorescence spectrum of the polymer with a maximum intensity at 430 nm. Upon heating, the decay of the luminescence follows a first-order law with an activation energy of 26.3 ± 0.3 kcal/mole. A comparison of the ultraviolet absorption spectra of the polymer before and after exposure to ultraviolet light and oxygen indicates that the naphthalene ring is oxidized. Heating the polymer above 80°C causes decomposition of the initial photo-oxide to produce luminescence.