The effect of p-tert-butylcalix[n]arene on gamma-radiation degradation of polypropylene

The gamma-radiation effect of polypropylene was investigated in the presenc e of three kinds of p-tert-butylcalix[n]arene (n = 4, 6, 8) in air at ambie nt temperature. The influence of radiation dose and store time upon the mec hanical properties of the irradiated PP sheets were measured. The results s howed that the radiation stabilization was reduced with the increase of the ring size of calixarenes. Based on the mass spectra and the analysis of po st-irradiated product, the mechanism of radiation degradation of p-tert-but ylcalix[4]arene has been proposed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.