Gamma irradiation effect on polymers derived of pyrrole synthesized by plasma

This work studies the effect of gamma irradiation at doses of 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 kGy on polymers obtained from pyrrole synthesized by plasma. The evolution of the structure was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Ftir) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Ftir spectra show that poly pyrroles have N-H, C-H, C=O, triple and consecutive double bonds in their structure. The irradiated polymers show the same chemical groups in their structure without significant changes. Nevertheless, a more detailed analysis by XPS allows the identification of superficial chemical states, such as: C=CH-C, C=CC-C, C-NH-C, C-NC-C, etc., and shows that most of these states are present in all polymers but with different participation. One possible mechanism indicates that as the irradiation dose increases, dehydrogenation processes are performed increasing fragmentation, crosslinking and formation of multiple bonds. The fragmentation and thermal degradation were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, indicating that the loss of moisture and light compounds formed during gamma irradiation occurs in the firsts 100 grades C. The main degradation of all polymers occurs from 150 to 700 grades C, suggesting that the thermal stability is independent of the irradiation dose in the interval studied. Morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy techniques. Before irradiation, the polymer presented a uniform and practically smooth surface, however, after gamma irradiation, the applied energy increased roughness and macro fragmentation. The roughness and functional groups on the surface reduced the contact angle with water as the irradiation dose increased. However, the polymers are hydrophilic, because for all doses that contact angle is smaller than 90 grades C. Electrical conductivity was calculated respect to temperature in the interval from 25 to 100 grades C. Conductivity increases with temperature and is slightly greater in the irradiated polymers, close to 10-2 S/m. (Author)