PHOTOSTABILIZATION OF POLY-(2,6-DIMETHYL-1, 4-PHENYLENE OXIDE) FILMS BY METAL DIALKYL DITHIO-PHOSPHATE

The photostabilization of poly-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) film in air, using Cd(II) O,O'-diisopropyl dithiophosphate as a stabilizer , in the temperature range 313-363 K with a light intensity flux of 8. 7 X 10(-9) einstein s-1 cm-2, was investigated. The course of stabiliz ation has been determined by means of light scattering, potassium ferr ioxalate actinometry and gel formation. The extent of stabilization wa s also followed by IR and UV spectroscopy and by monitoring the format ion of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. These results have been used to s upport the proposed mechanism of photostabilization.