Radiation-induced gas evolution in epoxy resins with correlation to bond cleavage under γ-irradiation

IF 6.8 2区化学 Q1 POLYMER SCIENCE

European Polymer Journal Pub Date : 2026-03-18 Epub Date: 2026-02-05 DOI:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2026.114569

Lei Zhang, Xionghou Peng, Chizhou Wang, Yuan Zu, Shuzhan Wang

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Abstract

Epoxy resins face critical challenges under γ-ray irradiation, where bond scission and radical generation trigger volatile release and structural degradation. Herein, we systematically investigate the gas evolution behavior and structural response of epoxy resins cured by bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) and ethylenediamine to γ-ray irradiation doses ranging from 0 to 600 kGy. At 50–100 kGy, gas evolution was negligible (<0.1 μL), but H₂ and CO₂ sharply increased to 0.216 and 1.198 μL at 600 kGy. Concurrently, tensile strength decreased from 60.39 to 52.67 MPa, accompanied by progressive discoloration and a ductile-to-brittle transition. Notably, despite the cleavage of C–H and C–O bonds, the glass transition temperature (T_g) increased from 83.65 °C to approximately 87 °C due to the predominance of radical-induced crosslinking at the studied doses. XPS further confirmed backbone disruption and oxygen-rich surface reconstruction. Together, these results establish a radical formation–β-scission–oxidation mechanism, highlighting both degradation pathways and intrinsic radiation resistance of epoxy systems for extreme environments.

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γ辐照下环氧树脂中辐射诱导气体演化与键解理的关系

环氧树脂在γ射线照射下面临关键挑战，其中键断裂和自由基生成引发挥发性释放和结构降解。本文系统地研究了双酚A二缩水甘油醚（DGEBA）和乙二胺固化的环氧树脂在0 ~ 600 kGy γ射线辐照下的气体演化行为和结构响应。在50 ~ 100 kGy时，气体析出量可以忽略不计（<0.1 μL），但在600 kGy时，H2和CO2的析出量急剧增加，分别达到0.216和1.198 μL。抗拉强度由60.39 MPa下降至52.67 MPa，并伴有逐渐变色和韧脆转变。值得注意的是，尽管C - h和C - o键被切割，但由于自由基诱导的交联在研究剂量下占主导地位，玻璃化转变温度（Tg）从83.65℃上升到约87℃。XPS进一步证实了骨架断裂和富氧表面重建。总之，这些结果建立了自由基形成- β-裂解-氧化机制，突出了环氧体系在极端环境下的降解途径和固有的抗辐射能力。

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来源期刊

European Polymer Journal 化学-高分子科学

CiteScore

9.90

自引率

10.00%

发文量

691

审稿时长

23 days

期刊介绍： European Polymer Journal is dedicated to publishing work on fundamental and applied polymer chemistry and macromolecular materials. The journal covers all aspects of polymer synthesis, including polymerization mechanisms and chemical functional transformations, with a focus on novel polymers and the relationships between molecular structure and polymer properties. In addition, we welcome submissions on bio-based or renewable polymers, stimuli-responsive systems and polymer bio-hybrids. European Polymer Journal also publishes research on the biomedical application of polymers, including drug delivery and regenerative medicine. The main scope is covered but not limited to the following core research areas: Polymer synthesis and functionalization • Novel synthetic routes for polymerization, functional modification, controlled/living polymerization and precision polymers. Stimuli-responsive polymers • Including shape memory and self-healing polymers. Supramolecular polymers and self-assembly • Molecular recognition and higher order polymer structures. Renewable and sustainable polymers • Bio-based, biodegradable and anti-microbial polymers and polymeric bio-nanocomposites. Polymers at interfaces and surfaces • Chemistry and engineering of surfaces with biological relevance, including patterning, antifouling polymers and polymers for membrane applications. Biomedical applications and nanomedicine • Polymers for regenerative medicine, drug delivery molecular release and gene therapy The scope of European Polymer Journal no longer includes Polymer Physics.