Radiation-induced oxidation of solid poly(ethylene oxide). II. Mechanism. [. gamma. rays]

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/pol.1977.170150403· OSTI ID:5377963

Decker, C

The mechanism of ..gamma..-initiated oxidation of solid poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been investigated, and an overall reaction scheme has been developed which accounts for most of the experimental observations. Data are correlated on the basis that the oxidation process is the sum of two reactions that are first-order and half-order in rate of initiation. They provide evidence that a significant fraction of the interactions of ..cap alpha..-alkoxyalkylperoxy radicals is nonterminating at ambient temperature and yield free alkoxy radicals that are very subject to ..beta.. scission. The unimolecular decomposition of secondary peroxy radicals, which has been invoked previously for the oxidation of PEO in solution, is not needed to explain the products of the oxidation of PEO in the solid phase. Approximately 90 percent of the total oxygen consumption has been accounted for by the observed products of oxidation. The radiochemical yield for backbone radical formation in irradiated PEO was estimated to be 6.5 +- 1.5.

• Research Organization: Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolecules, Strasbourgh
• OSTI ID: 5377963
• Journal Information: J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 15:4; ISSN JPLCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
400600* -- Radiation Chemistry
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KINETICS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXIDATION
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
POLYMERS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
REACTION KINETICS