Author(s) |
Mathad, R. D.; Kumar, H.G. H.; Sannakki, B.;
Sanjeev, G.; Sarma, K.S. S.; Francis, S. |
Post-irradiation studies have
been carried out to elucidate the effects of electron beam
irradiation on the structural, optical, dielectric and thermal
properties of ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
films. The modifications in the optical band gap, activation
energy, oscillator strength, and transition dipole moment have
been investigated as a function of electron radiation dose using
UV-Vis absorption spectra of UHMWPE films. The spectral analysis
showed a decrease in both the optical band gap and activation
energy, whereas the oscillator strength and the transition dipole
moment increased with the increase in electron radiation doses.
Further, the dielectric measurements indicated a slight increase
in the dielectric constant and the ac conductivity of the UHMWPE
films upon electron irradiation. The thermal analysis carried out
by differential scanning calorimeter and thermo-gravimetric
analyzer revealed that the melting temperature, degree of
crystallinity and thermal stability of the UHMWPE films increased,
obviously, due to the predominant cross-linking following high
doses of electron radiation.
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