Electron Beam Modified Organic Materials and their Applications

Abstract

The interaction of electron-beam with organic materials (e.g. Polymers, organic solvents, organic acids etc.) is known to modify their physico-chemical properties and, in many cases, these electron-beam modified materials are used for variety of societal applications. In this review article, we first describe the various types of accelerators to generate electron-beams of different energies, i.e. low (0.3 – 0.75 MeV), medium (0.75– 5 MeV) and high (5 – 10 MeV) energies, and emphasis is laid on various accelerators developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Trombay, India. The energetic electrons on interaction with organic materials create free radicals that lead to modifications in material through various mechanisms such as, cross-linking, scissioning, curing and grafting. An overview of these mechanisms is presented by citing appropriate examples. Applications of electron beam-modified organic materials in different areas including bio-medical, textile, environment protection, electrical, radiation dosimetry, etc. are reviewed. The prospects and challenges involved in the electron-beam processing of organic materials are presented.