| The simple and sensitive method to detect the oxidative degradation of solid polymers in ambient temperature has been described. This method employs UV-B light excitation of polymer chromophores to electronically excited states, followed by characteristic fluorescence. Luminescence from three types of thermoplastic polymers: polyamide 12 (PA12), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), before and after ageing has been measured. Different light conditions, values of pH, and hydrogen peroxide concentrations were used during ageing of polymers. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and thermogravimetry (TG-DSC) were used in the research to compare the luminescent technique with the analytical methods. |
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