Effect of gamma radiation on polyvinyl alcohol solution (PVA) and its optical and structural characterization

Effect of 1.25 MeV gamma radiation on the structural and optical properties of control and gamma irradiated Polyvinyl Alcohol Solution (PVA) polymer samples were analysed using UV-vis spectrophotometer, DLS spectrophotometer and infrared spectroscopy. The effect of gamma irradiated samples at different dosage were studied and consequent changes in the structures were noted as a part of this experiment. Upon gathering the required data trend we were able to conclude that the significant change in the structure of PVA solution occurred at a dose rate of 0.0085 mrad, suitable conclusions were made upon studying the different parameters obtained from various instruments. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize the optical and structural changes that takes place in PVA solution upon subsequent doses of gamma irradiation, and to understand the changes taking place at microscopic level. (author)