Photodegradation of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Under UV and Pulsed-Laser Irradiation in Aqueous Solution

Vijayalakshmi, SP and Madras, Giridhar (2006) Photodegradation of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Under UV and Pulsed-Laser Irradiation in Aqueous Solution. In: Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 102 (2). pp. 958-966.

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Abstract

The photodegradation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in aqueous solution was investigated under UV exposure and pulsed-laser irradiation. The degradation under UV exposure was studied at different pH values and with the addition of potassium chloride and potassium dichromate. The pulsed- laser degradation of PVA was investigated with a Nd : YAG laser, operating at a wavelength of 266 nm with about 6-ns pulses. The pulsed-laser degradation was studied at different polymer concentrations and light intensities. Samples were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography. The degradation rate coefficients were determined by the application of a continuous distribution model. The photodegradation rates under UV exposure were highest at extremes of pH and were greatly enhanced by the addition of potassium chloride and potassium dichromate. The pulsed-laser degradation of the polymer decreased with increasing polymer concentration, although a threshold light intensity was required to initiate the degradation process.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Publisher:	Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords:	Degradation;Photochemistry;Recycling;Watersoluble polymers
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Chemical Engineering
Date Deposited:	27 Nov 2007
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:32
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/8773

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