Radiation degradation susceptibility of vinyl polymers: Nitriles and anhydrides

Authors:
  • CPCharles U. Pittman
    Charles U. Pittman
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Abstract
The effect of γ irradiation on a series of vinyl polymers, which included polymethacrylonitrile, poly(α‐chloroacrylonitrile), poly(dimethyl itaconate), poly(acrylic anhydride), and poly(methacrylic anhydride), was studied as part of a program to develop improved positive lithographic resists. Radiation‐induced degradation was observed for polymethacrylonitrile, poly(α‐chloroacrylonitrile), and poly(methacrylic anhydride). Molecular weight degradation as a function of dose was monitored by membrane osmometry or GPC techniques. For γ‐irradiated poly(dimethyl itaconate) and poly(acrylic anhydride) crosslinking was found to predominate over chain scission. [G(s)–G(x)] values, calculated from molecular weight inverse versus dose curves, indicate that both nitrile polymers degraded more efficiently than a poly(methyl methacrylate) reference standard on the basis of Mn changes. The radiation behavior of the first three polymers confirms earlier findings than vinyl polymers with quaternary carbons predominantly degrade when subjected to ionizing radiation.

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