Spectroscopic and thermal studies of gamma irradiated polypropylene polymer

Thin films of polypropylene have been irradiated with different doses of gamma radiation from a Co-60 source. IR, UV-VIS spectra of this polymer before and after irradiation have been recorded and from the spectral data some modifications in the properties have been investigated. The spectra indicated that polypropylene film was oxidised at the dose of 10(6) Gy Due to the removal of additives, total destruction of the polymer takes place at this dose. Isotactic arrangement of the polymer is no longer present after irradiation. Growth of carbon cluster takes place above a gamma dose of 10(2) Gy. Thermal stability of the polymer changes due to irradiation and the polymer seems to decompose in four different steps at the highest dose of 10(6) Gy.