ESR study of gamma irradiated 2-methyl nylon3

Gamma radiation-induced radicals of 2-methyl nylon3 (2mN3) have been investigated by electron spin resonance spectrometry. The type of radicals generated, conversion into other radicalic species and their room temperature stability were evaluated. Two types of radicals have been detected. Two different formation mechanisms have been proposed for each radical. As suggested in literature for commercial polyamides, in our system we also observed two different radicals (R1 and R2). Among these radicals, R1 is expected to convert to R2, which is a chemically favorable process.