Gamma-irradiation-induced modifications in the structural and optical properties of Makroblend-UT3907 films

The current study aims to obtain information about how gamma-ray exposure affects Makroblend-UT3907 film properties. Makroblend-UT3907 film irradiated with a Co-60 source with doses of 0, 60, 90, 180, and 300 kGy. Gamma-ray exposure alters the structure of the polymer film; this is investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopies. The absorbance spectra of the irradiated samples showed a shift toward the high wavelength values in the absorption edge when compared to the unirradiated sample. This indicates a decrease in the energy gap and also enhances the optical parameters and refractive index of the irradiated samples. The direct and indirect band gaps of the unirradiated film are about 3.53 eV and 3.23 eV, which decreases to 3.45 eV and 3.12 eV after being exposed to 300 kGy, respectively. The band-tail width of the new states created by irradiation is increased from 0.14 eV to about 0.20 eV at 300 kGy. Refractive index and optical basicity increased from 2.3353 to 2.3582 and 1.373 to 1.377, respectively, following exposure to 300 kGy. The metallization criterion and electronegativity dropped from 0.420 to 0.415 and 0.949 to 0.927, respectively, indicating significant alterations in optical properties suitable for specialized applications. These results emphasize the possibility of irradiation films for using in potential optical applications, such as integrated optoelectronic applications in fields like optical waveguide production and antireflection coating. The photoluminescence (PL) studies show the hypochromic effect of the PL intensity alters the absorption spectra of the irradiated polymers and their molecules. The results obtained confirmed the possibility of gamma irradiation's impact on modifying the Makroblend-UT3907 film for enhanced performance in radiation-intense environments such as space exploration and medical imaging industries, showcasing the study's contribution to the advancement of materials science in high-stakes industrial applications.