Vol. 1, Issue 2, Part A (2019)

The study explores the effect of gamma irradiation on the optical and structural properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC samples were irradiated with Co⁶⁰ gamma rays in air, at a dose rate of 1.38 kGy/h with radiation doses ranging from 71.4 kGy to 1243.2 kGy. The structural changes induced by irradiation were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), UV-Visible absorption, and transmission spectroscopic techniques. A drastic decrease in the optical band gap has been observed from 3.86±0.03 eV to 1.58±0.02 eV at a dose of 71.4 kGy. The refractive index shows a continuous decline from a value of 1.75 (virgin) to a value of 1.15 (with a gamma dose of 1243.2 kGy). A possible correlation of the decrease in band gap and refractive index with that of changes observed due to irradiation has been discussed.