EPR STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF γ-IRRADIATION ON POLYPROPYLENE/(CdS+ZnS) COMPOSITES

A composite materials with various fillers prepared by adding cadmium sulfide (CdS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) particles to a polypropylene (PP) matrix and irradiated with different doses of γ-rays were studied by the electron paramagnetic resonance method (EPR). The EPR spectra were investigated, and the nature of the free radicals generated from irradiation was identified. It has been shown that the concentration of radicals in the composites is much lower than in pure PP. The presence of the filler counteracts the effect of γ-rays on the formation of radicals. This result shows that the radiation resistance of the composites is higher.