Radiation-induced degradation of polyvinyl alcohol in aqueous solutions

The degradation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by γ-ray irradiation was investigated. Degradation efficiency of PVA was influenced by several factors, such as initial PVA concentration, dose rate, pH, and the addition of H2O2. The degradation kinetics depended on initial PVA concentration and dose rate. At a relatively lower PVA concentration, e.g., 180 mg/L, and a higher dose rate, e.g., 55.7 Gy/min, the degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. On the contrary, at a higher PVA concentration, e.g., 500 mg/L, but a lower dose rate, e.g., 12.1 Gy/min, a pseudo-zero-order reaction occurred. The removal of PVA was more effective under acidic or alkaline conditions than that under neutral conditions. At a certain dose rate there was an optimal dosage of H2O2 to facilitate the degradation of PVA. For instance, at a dose rate of 17.2 Gy/min, the optimal H2O2 dosage was found to be about 2.5 mmol/L. Radical scavenging experiments, total organic carbon determination, and FTIR analysis on the degradation products demonstrated that PVA radiolysis was initiated by √OH and H√, leading to chain scission and formation of ketones/enols. Ultimately, complete mineralization of PVA was achieved.