Computer-simulated ESR spectra of irradiated poly(olefin oxides)—effect of glass transition temperature on the ESR spectra

Investigations on the effects of γ irradiation on poly(methylene oxide) (POM) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) have been made employing electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The ESR sextet and doublet spectra, recorded for POM and PEO, respectively, on irradition in air at room temperature are broadened as the temperature is lowered and show a reversible change in line shape with temperature. The spectra are analyzed by computer simulation, employing Lorentzian line-shape functions and the least-squares method of total curve fitting. The component spectra are evaluated and are assigned. Superposition of the component quartet, triplet, and doublet spectra, corresponding to the radicals ?H₃, ?H₂O , and O?HO , respectively, together with a singlet due to the radicals ?CH₂ is considered to be the best fit to the observed spectrum for POM. The doublet spectrum recorded for PEO has been assigned to the radicals ?HO . The reversible broadening of the spectra has been associated with the mechanism of molecular motions around the glass transition temperatures of these polymers.