Ionic and excited species in irradiated poly(ethylene terephthalate) doped with pyrene

Temperature effect on the fate of ionic and excited species in stationary irradiated poly(ethylene terephthalate), doped with pyrene, were examined using wavelength selected radiothermoluminescence and absorption spectroscopic methods. In general, all intermediates were found to disappear at temperatures higher than ∼180 K. Some small fraction of pyrene radical cations was still detected in temperatures close to room ones. The relaxation phenomena in this polymeric matrix certainly stimulated the behaviour of all intermediates trapped in the system. The detailed mechanism of reactions involved was proposed.