Radiation-induced Carbonization of Polyvinylidene Fluoride: Part I (Review)

Both known and previously unpublished results of studies devoted to the modification of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) by exposure to inert-gas ions and soft X-rays from laboratory radiation sources with magnesium and aluminum anodes are discussed. Along with the experimental data, model calculations of the kinetics of polymer dehydrofluorination and the concentration gradient for residual fluorine in the analyzed surface layer are presented. The peculiarities of PVDF degradation upon bombardment with electrons and irradiation with photons of synchrotron radiation will be discussed in the following review article, which is currently being prepared.