Effect of deep UV (172 nm) irradiation on PET: ToF/SIMS analysis

Irradiation of PET with 172 nm UV light in the absence of oxygen induces carbonyl elimination and carboxylic acid formation. Using ToF/SIMS to examine irradiated and as received materials with and without deuteration provides insight into the mechanisms. A Norrish type II mechanism is indicated for acid group formation and the mechanism of Day and Wiles [J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 16 (1972) 175; Polym. Lett. 9 (1971) 665] for decarbonylation. # 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved