Electron and gamma irradiation-induced effects in poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) films

摘要

The effect of high-energy radiation in poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) films has been extensively investigated. However, the microstructure and molecular changes of the film under different irradiation conditions are less well-understood. In this study, microstructure and molecular changes in ETFE films induced by gamma and electron irradiation with doses of 0-800 kGy are investigated using FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, contact angle, SEM, and AFM measurements. The irradiated ETFE films show a linear dose-response relation in the dose range of 50-400 kGy. In particular, in the low doses of 50-150 kGy, the crystallization in the irradiated amorphous regions and the partial degradation of inherent crystalline layers are observed. In the irradiation doses higher than 150 kGy, the degradation of newly generated crystalline areas and the recrystallization of disordering regions take place. Moreover, the microstructure alterations occur within the bulk and at the surface of the irradiated films. The 2-year shelf-aged films exhibit the partial preservation of chemical structures with the low oxidation effects, plus the features of linear dose-response with doses of 50-400 kGy. The obtained results provide a further understanding of radiation-induced effects in the ETFE films, which is the basic to extend their applications, especially in radiation resistance and dosimetry.