| Abstract: | The decay of peroxy radicals trapped in irradiated isotactic polypropylene has been studied by ESR in air at various temperatures between 284 and 309 K. All the ESR spectra obtained at the various reaction stages are shown to be composed of two components arising from a mobile fraction and an immobile fraction. Only the mobile peroxy radicals decay; those belonging to the immobile fraction are stable. Various reaction mechanisms are examined in order to explain the experimental results; it is concluded that the decay reaction is controlled by diffusion of peroxy radicals and that the immobile peroxy radicals play no role in the decay reaction. Intermolecular hydrogen abstraction of the peroxy radicals, rather than intramolecular abstraction, is suggested as the rate-determining reaction. |
