EFFECT OF ELECTRON SCAVENGERS ON THE FORMATION OF PARAMAGNETIC SPECIES UPON RADIOLYSIS OF POLYSTYRENE AND ITS LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT ANALOGS

The effect of electron scavengers on the composition and the yields of paramagnetic species upon the radiolysis of polystyrene was examined. Various mechanisms of the reactions of radical cations (holes) in low -molecular-weight aromatic hydrocarbons and polystyrene are discussed. The dimeric radical cations were found to be trapped in polystyrene a nd benzene irradiated in the presence of electron scavengers at 77 K. The yield of paramagnetic species was shown to increase markedly in th e presence of small amounts (<1%) of chloroform or benzyl chloride. Th e results obtained show that the ionic processes make a large contribu tion to the formation of paramagnetic species. It is concluded that th e radiation resistance of polystyrene is due not only to its chemical structure, but to the association of phenyl rings in the solid polymer .