Effect of gamma irradiation on molecular weight of fluorinated aromatic polyethers

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2010-04, Vol.284 (1), p.109-115
• Main Authors: Olvera, L. I., Bucio, E., Contreras-García, A., Cedillo, G., Booth, C. J., Cassidy, P. E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beams (radiation); Benzene; Bisphenol A; Bisphenols; Calorimetry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crosslinked polymers; Crosslinking; Diagnostic Radiology; Dosage; Epoxy resins; Ethers; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; Irradiation; Monomers; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Physics; Nuclear radiation; Physical Chemistry; Polyols
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-009-0436-5

A series of fluoropolymer films was synthesized by reacting 1,3-bis(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-pentafluorophenylmethoxy-2-propyl)benzene (12F-FBE) with a series of bisphenol monomers via a polycondensation reaction. The biphenols used included a diphenol-substituted spirodilactam, biphenol, bisphenol A, bisphenol AF, bisphenol F and bisphenol O. Polymers films from these new fluoropolyaryl ethers were irradiated by a Gamma Beam 657-PT at a dose rate of 9 kGy/h; the absorbed dose was varied between 30 and 150 kGy. The effect on the chemical structure upon radiation was studied by DSC, TGA, FTIR-ATR, NMR, and GPC, both before and after irradiation. The data obtained allowed the determination of the degradation radiochemical yield ( G s ), between 0.24 and 7.43 crosslinking radiochemical yield ( G x ), from 0.03 to 1.47 and the ratio of G s / G x was between 2.89 and 8.28. There was no apparent physical change, from 30 to 150 kGy; the films continue to be flexible and transparent after irradiation.