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Studies on the radiolytic degradation of cellulose acetate membranes
Author(s) -
Ramachandhran V.,
Misra B. M.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1985.070300103
Subject(s) - membrane , cellulose acetate , radiolysis , irradiation , polymer , radical , cellulose , chemistry , solubility , degradation (telecommunications) , oxygen , kinetics , polymer degradation , chemical engineering , nuclear chemistry , polymer chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , biochemistry , telecommunications , physics , computer science , nuclear physics , engineering , quantum mechanics
The effect of γ‐irradiation on the performance of wet cellulose acetate membranes in the dose range of 2.5–10 Mrads was investigated using a 60 Co source. Changes in transport properties and inherent viscosity of the membranes suggested continued degradation as a result of irradiation. Solubility and specific gravity changes accompanying irradiation indicated some sort of structural aggregation occuring at higher doses. Consumption of dissolved oxygen during irradiation and the extent of deacetylation of the membrane polymer were determined to study the kinetics of the degradative process. Analysis of the end products of irradiation was attempted by UV spectroscopy. ESR spectra of membrane polymer after irradiation were analyzed to identify the free radicals generated. A tentative mechanism of radiolytic degradation causing the observed performance failure is proposed.