Radical formation on irradiated polycarbonate

Resumo

Type II polycarbonate, PC II, manufacturated with high purity reagents as used on medical fabrication was gamma irradiated by a ⁶⁰Co source with dose of 100 kGy. The formation and decay of PC II radicals (G_scission = 1) was investigated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy in the presence and absence of air at room temperature. The air does not interfere in the formation of radicals because they are formed as consequence of direct interaction of gamma radiation, but it interferes in their decays. During irradiation, the air reacts with all isopropyl radicals and with 2/3 of phenoxy + phenyl radicals.