Effects of Gamma Radiation on Electrical Conductivity of PVA-CH Composites

Keywords: Gamma radiation, electrical conductivity, PVA-CH compositesAbstract.The effects of radiation on polymer composite PVA-based organic blends containing chlorine have been studied for their potential applications in electrochemical devices. The polymer composite PVA-Chloral Hydrate (CH) were blended separately with 23, 34, 45 and 57% CH. The composite films were prepared by solvent-casting method and each film has been irradiated with g-rays at different doses up to 12 kGy. The electrical properties have been studied using an impedance analyzer of LCR meter in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 1 MHz. The conductivity-dose relation study revealed that increase in conductivity of the irradiated PVA-CH blends with increasing dose up to 12 kGy. The increase in the conductivity with dose is attributed to the increase of ionic carriers in the composites induced by radiation scission of CH molecules and also due to hydrolysis of water.