The optical and mechanical properties before and after gamma irradiation of poly(vinyl alcohol) films doped with lead acetate

Abstract The optical and mechanical properties of pure poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films and five PVA films doped with (CH 3 COO) 2 Pb.3H 2 O, at concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% by weight, have been studied before and after irradiation by doses of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Mrad gamma rays. Before irradiation, it was found that the refractive index, the band tail width and the tensile strength increase, while the optical gap decreases, as the concentration of lead acetate is increased. After irradiation, these optical and mechanical properties exhibit a cyclic effect.