Seiichi Saiki

Spin-trapping reactions of a novel gauchetype radical trapper G-CYPMPO.

Chemical reactions of a novel gauchetype spin trap, G-CYPMPO (sc-5-(5,5-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-yl)-5-methy-1-pyrroline N-oxide, O1-P1-C6-N1 torsion angle = 52.8°), with reactive oxygen species were examined by pulse radiolysis technique with 35 MeV electron beam and by electron spin resonance spectroscopy after (60)Co γ-ray irradiation. The spin-trapping reaction rate constants of G-CYPMPO toward the hydroxyl radical and the hydrated electron were estimated to be (4.2 ± 0.1) × 10(9) and (11.8 ± 0.2) × 10(9) M(-1)s(-1), respectively. Half-lives of the spin adducts, hydroxyl radical, and perhydroxyl radical adducted G-CYPMPO were estimated to be ∼35 and ∼90 min, respectively. A comparison of the results with earlier reports using different radical sources suggests that the purity of the solution and/or the radical generation technique may influence the stability of the spin adducts.

Positron Lifetimes and Mechanical Properties of Gamma-Irradiated Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) has widely been used for probing open volume defects in various materials. PALS is in principle non-destructive, yet conventional PALS is not strictly non-destructive because cutting out of two specimens from the material is required. Recently we developed a novel method of PALS, which is potentially applicable to non-destructive, onsite material inspection. In order to explore the possibility of onsite monitoring of polymer degradation by this novel method of PALS, we studied variations of positron lifetime and mechanical properties of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) subjected to γ-irradiation. Correlations were found between the mechanical properties and ortho-positronium lifetimes, suggesting the feasibility of non-destructive, onsite monitoring of polymer degradation by PALS. The effect of γ-irradiation on positronium formation is discussed.