The photochemical reactions of the peroxide radicals in polytetrafluorethylene

Abstract The kinetics and mechanism of the photochemical reactions of the peroxide radicals have been investigated in polytetrafluorethylene by electron paramagnetic resonance. Under irradiation by UV light, with λ < 300 nm, the peroxide radicals ˜CF2 CF(O2)CF2∼ and ∼CF2 CF2 O2 are dissociated and the end fluoralkyl radicals ∼CF2 CF2 are produced. The activation effective energy of the photodissociation of the peroxide radicals is equal to approximately 1‐2 kcal/mole. Quantum yield of the dissociation of peroxide radicals is equal to about 1. In the presence of oxygen the photorecombination of the peroxide radicals takes place. The photorecombination of the peroxide radicals bring about a reversal of the reactions of the dissociation of the end peroxide radicals and the addition of oxygen to the end fluoralkyl radical. Due to a dependence upon the initial concentration of peroxide radicals, the quantity of molecules of CF2 O produced varies from 25 to 45 per one vanished radical. The rate of the photorecombination of the peroxide radical is in linear dependence on light intensity and in the interval 150‐500 torr does not depend upon oxygen pressure.