Nuclear track detection using thermoset polycarbonates derived from pentaerythritol

The paper describes the synthesis and performance of two polymers as nuclear track detectors, both having alpha sensitivity higher than that of the widely-used polymer CR-39. A homopolymer (PPETAC) from pentaerythritol tetrakis(allyl carbonate) (PETAC) monomer and its various copolymers with allyl d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Beam interactions with materials and atoms, 2010-03, Vol.268 (5), p.537-542
Main Authors: Mandrekar, Vinod K., Chourasiya, G., Kalsi, P.C., Tilve, S.G., Nadkarni, V.S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Copolymerization
CR-39
Irradiation
Nuclear track detectors
Polycarbonates
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The paper describes the synthesis and performance of two polymers as nuclear track detectors, both having alpha sensitivity higher than that of the widely-used polymer CR-39. A homopolymer (PPETAC) from pentaerythritol tetrakis(allyl carbonate) (PETAC) monomer and its various copolymers with allyl diglycol carbonate (ADC) prepared by cast polymerization were successfully used as nuclear track detectors. The copolymer PETAC:ADC 4:6 weight percent shows maximum alpha sensitivity, almost double that of CR-39 under identical experimental conditions. This copolymer can reveal alpha particle tracks from 239Pu source in about 60 min and 252Cf fission fragment tracks by chemical etching in less than 30 min, compared to about 120 min and 45 min respectively, required by CR-39. The polymers can be conveniently etched using aqueous sodium hydroxide.
ISSN:0168-583X
1872-9584
DOI:10.1016/j.nimb.2009.11.015