Influence of Gamma Irradiation on the Surface Energy Characteristics and Wetting of Polytetrafluoroethylene

• Published in: High energy chemistry 2021-09, Vol.55 (5), p.381-387
• Main Authors: Shaimukhametova, I. F., Bogdanova, S. A., Allayarov, S. R., Demidov, S. V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amorphization; Aqueous solutions; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Free surfaces; Functional groups; Gamma irradiation; Oxidation; Physical Chemistry; Polytetrafluoroethylene; Radiation; Radiation Chemistry; Radiation dosage; Radiation effects; Sodium dodecyl sulfate; Surface energy; Surface layers; Surfactants; Wetting
• ISSN: 0018-1439; 1608-3148
• DOI: 10.1134/S001814392105009X

The effect of γ-radiation dose on the surface energy characteristics of commercial polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) of five different grades has been studied. In the course of PTFE irradiation in air, radiation oxidation leads to the appearance of functional groups and an increase in the acid–base component of the free surface energy and surface polarity; in this case, the dispersive component of the free surface energy decreases with dose because of the radiation-induced loosening, amorphization, and degradation of the polymer. The effect of γ-irradiation of PTFE on its wetting with aqueous solutions of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate has been studied for the first time. It has been found that irradiation increases the wetting and the work of adhesion of the surfactant solution due to the appearance of polar groups in the surface layer.