Modification of Acrylonitrile-Methylacrylate Copolymer by Gamma Irradiation

Abstract

Abstract

Radiative degradation of acrylonitrile-methylacrylate (AM) copolymer has been investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The ESR spectrum observed for AM copolymer irradiated to a dose of 12 Mrad is a triplet with an intensity ratio of 1:3:1. The ESR spectrum is simulated by total-curve-fitting method and component spectra are generated. Magnetic parameters of component spectra are evaluated. Component triplet spectrum with magnetic parameters n_i=3, m_i=1 is attributed to free radicals of the type CH₂-CH(COOCH₃) (I) and component singlet with parameters n_i=m_i=1 is attributed to ~CH₂C(HCN)=C=CH(COOCH₃) (II). Based on the spectral data a mechanism for radiative degradation is proposed.

Keywords: Gamma irradiation, electron spin resonance, ESR simulation, FTIR, degradation

Cite this Article

Sanjeeva Rao B, Kalahasthi S, Rao EV et al. Modification of acrylonitrile-methylacrylate copolymer by gamma irradiation. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2015; 3(3): 16–19p.