Effect of gamma irradiation on a polymer electrolyte: Variation in crystallinity, viscosity and ion-conductivity with dose

PEO(1 - x)-NH4ClO4(x) samples with x = 0.18 are irradiated with gamma doses varying up to 50 kGy. DSC and XRD studies indicate, in general, a decrease in crystallinity with dose. Measurement of viscosity of aqueous solutions of the irradiated samples at the same concentration, shows that there is overall chain scission on irradiation, though there is evidence of some cross-linking also at higher doses. This is corroborated by FTIR measurements. The ion-conductivity shows a strong increase for irradiation dose 35 kGy. This suggests that there is a possibility of improving polymer electrolyte properties on gamma irradiation. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.