Protection of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) against u.v. irradiation

The photo-oxidative degradation and stabilization of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) films have been examined in the temperature range 263–313 K in air with u.v. light of 253.7 nm. The changes in weight-average molecular weight, quantum efficiencies, carbonyl index, hydroperoxide concentration and i.r. spectra have been followed in the absence and presence of the stabilizer. The heats of activation of the systems have been calculated and the mechanism of stabilization has been postulated. A saturation limit in photostabilization of the polymer was achieved beyond 0.6 wt% of zinc di-n-hexyl dithiophosphate.