The influence of gamma rays on the physical properties of polyvinyl chloride

Abstract

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the most widely product used in a range of industrial and commercial applications due to its high chemical resistance, properties, and low cost. Thin films of polyvinyl chloride were produced using a casting process. Cobalt (60Co) source and radiation doses of (1, 5, 10, 15, and 20) kGy were used for gamma irradiation. According to the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, the PVC films had an amorphous structure. Before irradiation, the surface PVC did not have a porous structure, but after irradiation, porous PVC formed, according to field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) photographs. The polymer chains exposed to gamma radiation showed no structural alterations according to the Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer FTIR measurements. The effect of radiation on optical characteristics was determined using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The results demonstrate that the absorption spectrum increases, and transmission decreases with the increase in the dose of irradiation and indicated that indirect transition was allowed and the energy gap of PVC films decreased when irradiated with a radiation dose from (4.95 eV â 4.48 eV). The purpose of gamma irradiation is to improve the specifications and properties of the polymer for use in other application areas.