Gamma-ray irradiation-induced changes in structural, optical and photo-emission characteristics of PVA/PEG blends.

• FT-IR analysis of PVA/PEG blend shows amendments in the intensity upon gamma-irradiation. • XRD pattern of PVA/PEG blend shows that the intensity of peak is influenced according to the values of gamma doses. • The gamma irradiation is a good technique for enhancing surface roughness. • An enhancement was observed in the optical and fluorescence properties of irradiated PVA/PEG blend films. This study looked at the resultant influence by γ-radiation upon the structural changes, optical and photoemission characteristics in blends of poly-vinyl-alcohol/poly-ethylene–glycol. The PVA/PEG blend films are fabricated using a blending and casting method with a 50/50 ratio. The dried films were exposed to various γ doses 30, 60, 90, and 120 kGy. The effects of γ-rays upon the properties of the dried films were examined by FTIR, XRD, surface roughness, optical microscope, UV/Vis, and photoemission techniques. FTIR spectrum shows that the band intensities of irradiated PVA/PEG are considerably lower at 30 kGy compared to PVA and PVA/PEG blend, which is attributable to the scissioning process. Also, by increasing γ-exposure dose crosslinking process takes place. The films are shown to be semi-crystalline by the XRD pattern, which also shows that they contain both crystalline and amorphous phases and are affected by the value of the -dose. An increase in surface roughness is monitored as the γ dose increases. The UV–Vis data demonstrated that the edge of absorbance changed considerably by increasing γ-doses. One can noticed that the investigated optical parameters are altered by γ-radiation. As γ-dose rises, an increase in the index of refraction is noticed. The photoemission spectra show that the PVA/PEG blend films are γ-ray sensitive, especially with higher doses of irradiation due to the growing defects in the irradiated films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]