Influence of gamma radiation on PVC/PANI composites

Abstract

PVC/PANI composites radiated with 75KGy of Gamma radiations were studied for their modifications in optical and structural properties as compared to the pristine polymer composites. The study of FTIR spectra of gamma radiated and pristine samples of polymer composite shows that the intensity of peaks decreases with gamma irradiation and at the same time shifts towards lower wave-number for pure PVC and its composites. It is further found that the water content has been reduced with Gamma irradiation and CO2 was released. The UV-VIS spectra for PVC/PANI composites were studied after irradiation with 75KGy of Gamma radiation and compared with the pristine composites. It was observed that the direct band gap, indirect band gap and urbach's energy increases with gamma irradiation for pure PVC which may be attributed to increased cross linking in PVC due to irradiation. For other concentrations of PANI in composite the direct band gap, indirect band gap and urbach's energy is found to decrease with irradiation. PL studies of composite showed that with the addition of PANI the colour of emission has been found to shift towards yellow. After irradiation the emission colour has been found to shift towards white colour where as negligible effect has been found for composites with higher concentration of PANI.