Transmission in irradiated hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer at elevated temperatures

Abstract

Transmission losses were monitored in the ultraviolet-visible spectra of irradiated hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymer at elevated temperatures. The transmission in irradiated HEMA in the ultraviolet and visible wave length range was almost the same for doses 400 kGy ≤ Φ ≤ 1000 kGy, but was smaller than that of the nonirradiated HEMA copolymer. The reduction in transmission in the irradiated specimens was attributed to the presence of color centers. The concentration of color centers was enhanced by thermal annealing. The transmission data (or absorption data) at 467 nm was found in good agreement with the theoretical model in which the color center production followed a first-order kinetic process. The rate constant satisfies the Arrhenius equation, and the corresponding activation energy is 17.37 kJ/mol and is independent of the dosage. The results were compared with those reported in the literature.