Chemiluminescence from peroxides in polypropylene. Part I: Relation of luminescence to peroxide content

Abstract

The weak chemiluminescence observed when partially oxidised samples of polypropylene are heated in an inert atmosphere has been studied as a function of oxidation. The integrated luminescence is shown to be proportional to titratable peroxides in the early stages of oxidation but the relation is curved at higher oxidation levels. Measurements during peroxide decomposition in an inert atmosphere show luminescence decaying faster than the drop in peroxide concentration. Both observations suggest that the luminescence originates in a small fraction of reactive peroxides. Experiments with antioxidants confirm that the luminescent step is a radical recombination. © 1991.