Thermally stimulated chemiluminescence in photo‐oxidized poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylate)

Poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylate) exhibits thermally stimulated chemiluminescence after exposure to ultraviolet radiation and oxygen. The chemiluminescence spectrum is essentially the same as the fluorescence spectrum of the polymer with a maximum intensity at 430 nm. Upon heating, the decay of the luminescence follows a first‐order law with an activation energy of 26.3 ± 0.3 kcal/mole. A comparison of the ultraviolet absorption spectra of the polymer before and after exposure to ultraviolet light and oxygen indicates that the naphthalene ring is oxidized. Heating the polymer above 80°C causes decomposition of the initial photo‐oxide to produce luminescence.