Study of radiation induced variation in structural and optical properties of polyallyl diglycol carbonate Polymer

Polyallyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) is a well-known Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD). We have investigated structural modifications and optical properties of alpha irradiated PADC at different interval of times from 5min to 360min. Structural modifications are investigated from Scanning Electron microscopic (SEM) images and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Optical study is carried out from absorption and fluorescence spectra. XRD patterns confirm amorphous nature of the material but its diffracted intensities increase with increasing exposure time. SEM images show generation of nano size particles at the surface after 120 min exposure with alpha irradiation and the size increases with further exposure of the radiations. Absorption spectra show abrupt increase in absorption in UV range and slight variations are observed with further increase of exposure time. Increase in intensities of emission peaks are observed with alpha irradiation. Optical band gaps at different exposure are estimated using Tauc's plot

I. Introduction

Polyallyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) is very much known polymer for heavy charged particle detection. The reason for the popularity is the unique way of detecting only alpha radiation among mixture of alpha, beta and gamma radiations [1]. Scientist have been working for several years to optimize formulation of PADC for the best response and most accurate methodology to compute track length in alpha irradiated samples from various parameters of etched alpha tracks [2]–[4]. The response of alpha radiations on polymers leads to several changes in their properties due to the induced chain scissions and crosslinking. These induced modifications and degradations in the polymers successfully identify the alpha radiation in samples or in environment [5], [6]. The polymer degradation induced by radiation is a prompt way to simulate the aging of polymeric materials and to study their radiation stability or change in chemical and physical properties in view of their industrial applications. At the same time, radiation effects on polymers are of particular interest to science and technology. There have been many applications in modern engineering [7], [8].