Effect of gamma radiation on gelation in polyvinyl alcohol solutions

Abstract

The radiation effect of various pH values on polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solutions and on organic solutions, as well as those of scavengers in the aqueous solutions were examined. The gelation dose R_g changes with various pH values; a small amount of free radical scavengers in the system inhibits the crosslinking of polymer molecules and raises R_g. Degradation of polyvinyl in alcohol dimethyl sulfone solution occurs after irradiation, providing a mechanism of radiation-induced crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solutions is initiated by the transient species H and OH of water, but not the species e^-_aq.