FT-IR investigations on effect of high doses of gamma radiation-induced damage to polystyrene and mechanism of formation of radiolysis products.

The present article focuses on the influence of gamma irradiation and post-irradiation storage conditions on FT-IR spectra of 1 mm thick polystyrene irradiated with 51, 77 and 129 kGy. The increase in amplitude corresponding to 3600, 3400 and 2100 cm- 1 stretching frequencies clearly showing the formation of O-H and C=O bonds (~ 25%). On prolonged storage (2160 h) in the dark, there is an increase in O-H group (~ 28%). The electron cloud facilitates the formation of hydroxyl group in irradiated polystyrene. The post-irradiation treatment with heat conversely showed a reduction of O-H, C-H and C=O (9-16%) groups due to radical-radical recombination at higher temperatures and light intensities. This investigation finds its applications in memory devices, optical sensors, radiation dosimetry and different space and radiation facilities.