| Abstract: | The influence of ferric acetylacetonate [Fe(acac)3] on the photodegradation of model compounds of polyethylene (PE) was examined. By studying electron-spin-resonance (ESR) spectra of photoirradiated compounds such as 1-octene and 1,7-octadiene, which contain carbon double bonds, Fe(acac)3 was found to accelerate the formation of allyl radical by contact with them. On the other hand, Fe(acac)3 suppressed the radical formation based on Norrish type I reaction in a carbonyl group of compounds such as 2-octanone and 3-octanone. Based on the study of ultraviolet (UV) spectra as well as ESR spectra on photoirradiated samples, the influence of Fe(acac)3 on the photodecomposition of model compounds of PE was discussed. Finally, the discussion turned to the mechanism of photodecomposition of PE in the presence of ferric salt. |
