UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy of gamma irradiated polymethyl methacrylate

Abstract

The effect of gamma irradiation on the UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) foils has been studied. A new absorption band has been observed in the visible spectral range due to color centers induced in the gamma irradiated PMMA. This band shows maximum absorption (low transmission) for 10 kGy irradiation, which decreases and saturates after 50 kGy followed by a further increase at 500 kGy. The FTIR peaks show an increased absorption up to ~100 kGy irradiation, which reverses for higher doses. Broad band absorption has been observed in FTIR spectra around 1600 and 3600 cm^-1 due to absorption of moisture in the irradiated samples. The reduction in the absorption intensity at 1718 cm^-1 in the irradiated PMMA (> 100 kGy) has been found associated with the dimerization of the carbonyl groups. An initial increase in the absorption of FTIR peaks with increase in the doses of irradiation is due to increased cross linking in the PMMA structure that is induced by the absorption of moisture. The dimerization of carbonyl groups becomes dominant at higher doses of irradiation (~500 kGy).