Electron spin resonance studies of the radicals produced in high polymers by γ-irradiation and their reaction with sulfur dioxide

Reactivities of free radicals formed in irradiated polymers were investigated. Procedures utilizing the electron spin resonance technique showed the behavior of free radicals with sulfur dioxide. Radicals from polymers containing an intramolecular having hydrogen bond in themselves, such as cellulose, starch, polyvinyl alcohol, etc., showed no reactivity following either irradiation in a sulfur dioxide atmosphere or irradiation in vacuo with subsequent introduction of sulfur dioxide. Other polymer radicals were classified into three groups according to the effects of sulfur dioxide on them.