Modification of spectral and semiconducting properties of polyvinylidene chloride by ultraviolet light of specific wavelengths

Polyvinylidene chloride—polyvinyl chloride copolymer (saran) when irradiated with 254 mμ light produces a species which absorbs maximally at 285 mμ and has a tail in the spectrum which extends into the visible region. Irradiated samples show a further increase in absorption when heated at 100°C., while unirradiated samples are unaffected by such heating. Irradiation at 254 mμ results in crosslinking which is further increased on heating. On the other hand, heating destroys the Carr‐Price reaction exhibited by irradiated material. Heating also destroys the electron spin resonance signal of the irradiated material. Irradiated films are photoconducting, but this property is destroyed by heating. The compound produced irradiation at 254 mμ is destroyed by irradiation at 310 and 365 mμ, but the products are different in the two cases and depend on the presence of oxygen.