Theoretical aspects of the radiation effects of polymers

Abstract

Abstract The Millar–Wall–Charlesby empirical rule of radiation effects on polymers was theoretically examined. The theoretically calculated adiabatic potential curves of the main chain scission and side chain cleavage revealed that the effects of radiation on polymers are clearly interpreted as chemical reactions in the excited states; namely, that degradation occurs when little or no activation energy is required in the main chain cleavage reaction in the excited states, or, in other words, stabilization of the excited polymer molecule leads to the main chain cleavage. Crosslinking occurs when moderate or large activation energy is required in the main chain cleavage reaction in any electronic state and little or no activation energy is needed in the CH bond cleavage reaction in the excited states. Therefore stabilization of the excited polymer molecule leads to the formation of a polymer radical that crosslinks. It was concluded that Millar–Wall–Charlesby's rule is exact only when the shape of the adiabatic potential curve in the ground state reflects those in the excited states.