Modification of molecular and optical properties of cellulose triacetate by alpha particles irradiation

International Conference and Exhibition on Biopolymers & Bioplastics

August 10-12, 2015 San Francisco, USA

MAbutalib

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

Samples from sheets of the polymeric material cellulose triacetate have been exposed to alpha particles in the dose range 20-
100 Gy. The modifications induced in the molecular and optical properties of cellulose triacetate samples due to alpha particles
irradiation have been studied through different characterization techniques such as intrinsic viscosity, refractive index and color
difference studies. The results indicated that the crosslinking is achieved at the dose range 60-100 Gy. This crosslinking led to an
increase in the value of intrinsic viscosity, indicating an increase in the average molecular mass. This was associated with an increase
in the refractive index. Additionally, the non irradiated cellulose triacetate samples showed significant color sensitivity towards Alpha
particles irradiation. This sensitivity appeared in the change in the blue color component of the non irradiated cellulose triacetate
film to yellow after exposure to alpha particles up to 100 Gy. This is accompanied by a net increase in the darkness of the samples.