Electron spin resonance study of the thermal decay of radicals in irradiated polyethylene

Abstract

The role of radical pairs in the decay of alkyl radicals and the correlation of the decay of radicals with the type of trapping region in irradiated polyethylene have been investigated by using various types of polyethylene. When the sample irradiated at 77°K is warmed above this temperature, the decay curve of radicals against temperature shows a three-step decay. The first decay region is ascribed to the decay of radical pairs. The second decay region is connected with radicals trapped in the noncrystalline regions. The third decay region is correlated to radicals trapped in the crystalline regions.