8 MeV Electron Induced Changes in Structural and Thermal Properties of Lexan Polycarbonate

K. Hareesh, Ganesh Sanjeev

.

DOI: 10.4236/msa.2011.211224                

Abstract

Lexan polycarbonate films were irradiated by 8MeV electron beam at different fluences and characterized using X-ray Diffractogram (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The structural parameters such as degree of crystallinity and crystallite size were found to decrease after irradiation due to chain-scission. he UV-Visible spectroscopic study show the formation of chromophore groups upon irradiation and was reduced at larger wavelength. FTIR Study shows the carbonate linkage was found to be the radiation-sensitive linkage and benzene ring does not undergo any changes after irradiation. The DSC studies showed a decrease in glass transition temperature and heat of fusion after irradiation due to chain-scission which indicates polymer was moving towards more disordered state. Thermal decomposition temperature of Lexan polycarbonate increases upon irradiation.

Keywords

Lexan Polycarbonate, Irradiation, Structural, Thermal Properties

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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