PROPOSAL FOR
MINOR RESEARCH PROJECT

Submitted to
University Grants Commission

in Science Stream

Title of the project:

''Study of Radiation induced and magnetic field induced changes in Polymers''

Estimated cost: Rupees TWO lakhs

Principal investigator:

Dr. Sreepad, H.R.
S.G.L. in Physics,
P.G. Department of Physics,
Government College (Autonomous), Mandya-571401.

PART – B
Proposed Research Work

9 (i)Project Title : Study of Radiation induced and magnetic field induced changes in
Polymers

(ii) Introduction :
Study of polymers has become a very important research field. Modern world is full of polymers. Polymer materials are replacing the metal and alloy made materials in all fields. This is because of their light weight, low cost and easy fabrication. Several polymers show very good electrical conductivity and hence they are used in making polymer electrodes and polymer batteries. Their conductivity varies with doping, changing the process of synthesization, temperature and so on.
Electrically conductive organic polymers are a class of electronic materials that combine the electrical properties of metals with the processability and mechanical properties characteristic of conventional polymers. Examples of such polymers include polyparaphenylene vinylenes, polyparaphenylenes, polyanilines, polythiophenes, polyazines, polyfuranes, polypyrroles, polyselenophenes, poly-p-phenylene sulfides, polythianapthenes, polyacetylenes formed from soluble precursors, combinations thereof and blends thereof with other polymers and copolymers of the monomers thereof.
Electrically conducting organic polymers have been of scientific and technological interest since the late 1970's. These relatively new materials exhibit the electronic and magnetic properties characteristic of metals while retaining the physical and mechanical properties associated with conventional organic polymers.
Thus, the study of polymers has become a very important and fascinating field which has got great technological importance in the field of material science.

*Origin of the research problem:
Technological application of these polymers are beginning to emerge. Today, conductive polymers and composites such as mentioned above have a broad range of applications including their use as materials for carders of electrically sensitive devices which prevent electrostatic charge (ESC) which may attract airborne particles on critical surfaces and electrostatic discharge (ESD) which may cause device malfunction. In addition, conducting polymers can be used as machine covers for electronic equipment which prevent the ingress or egress of electromagnetic signals in order to meet the guidelines established by the International technical committee as to the accepted levels of unwanted electrical noise.
Doping, changing dopant concentration, heat treatment, irradiation, magnetic and electric fields induce observable changes in the electrical conductivity and other physical and chemical properties of polymers. In several cases it has been observed that these changes are due to introduction of various types of defects and also changes in defect concentration in the polymers.

*Interdisciplinary relevance:
The proposed work has a great relevance in various fields of Physics, Chemistry and Material Science. Synthesis of the polymers and study of their composition involves more of Chemistry aspects. Study of physical properties and study of variation of electrical conductivity with the variation of temperature and other parameters involves more of Physics and Material science aspects. Researchers from all these fields are involved in the study of polymers.

*Review of Research and Development in the Subject:
• International status:
Researches of almost all reputed international laboratories of the world are engaged in the research concerned with polymers and their applications. While some researches are engaged in the synthesis and characterization of polymers, many others are engaged in the study of their physical properties and variation of those properties by changing several parameters. Those studies are found to be of great importance for the tecnological advancement in several fields.
Lee et. al., have synthesized conductive polymers with high electrical conductivity and have obtained US patent [1,2]. Afzali-ardakani et. al., have synthesized polyanilines and its co-polymers by melt condensation and have obtained US patent [3]. Angelopoulos et. al., have developed methods of fabrication of cross-linked electrically conductive polymers and have obtained US patent [4].
Graham et. al., have studied the effect of X-ray irradiation on poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and its derivatives [5]. J.A. Malmonge and L.H.C. Mattoso have studied the doping of polyaniline and derivatives induced by X-Ray radiation [6]. Leszek Kubisz has studied the effect of γ-irradiation on the temperature dependence of D.C. electrical conductivity of dry bone [7]. Djamel Tahtat et. al., have studied the beneficial effect of gamma irradiation on the N-deacetylation of chitin to form chitosan [8]. Murat Sen et. al., have studied Radiation induced degradation of galactomannan polysaccharides [9].

• National status:
Researchers from several national laboratories and Universities of our country are also engaged in this field and have significant contribution to this field. For example, Prasanna Chandrasekhar has worked extensively in this field and has written a book giving details on conducting polymers [10]. Kalkar et. al., have studied the effect of gamma irradiation on structural and electrical properties of poly (bisphenol-A carbonate) films [11]. Manohara Murthy and Dwaraka Rani Rao have studied the effect of X-ray irradiation on the thermal expansion of polymers [12]. The Principal Investigator himself has studied Radiation induced changes in the free volume properties of the polymer PPO [13], Nature of positron trapping centers in a gamma irradiated Nasicon analogue [14] and Effect of gamma irradiation on the positron trapping centers in the polymer PPO [15].

• Significance of the study:
Polymers find applications in almost all fields. That too conducting polymers are finding wide applications. Hence, it is highly necessary to study the variation of electrical conductivity and defect nature of polymers with the variation of dopant concentration, temperature, strength of applied electric and magnetic fields. This will definitely help in developing more and more technologically important polymers and tune their structure and physical properties so that they suit the requirements of the present technology.

(iii) Objectives:
The main objectives of the proposed work are;
a) To do an extensive literature survey in the respective field.
b) To synthesize and characterize some polymers having technological importance.
c) Study the various physical properties of those polymers.
d) To study the variation of electrical conductivity as a function of dopant concentration, temperature, strength of applied magentic and electric fields.
e) To study the effect of irradiation on the polymers.

(iv) Methodology:
It is proposed to do an extensive literature survey in this field. It is proposed to synthesize some of the polymers having technological importance with different side chains and having different physical and chemical properties. Characterization of such polymers will be carried out. Polymer sheets will be prepared using solvent evaporation method.
It is dificult to synthesize some polymers in the un established laboratory. Hence such polymers have to be procured from the recognised laboratories. The electrical conductivity measurements and study of optical properties of the samples are carried out using Conductometer using two probe method and using spectro photometer respectively.
It is proposed to carry out irradiation of the samples using Gamma source available in the Department of Physics, University of Mysore and X-ray irradiation using X-ray source available in District General hospital and the one to be procured by our college in near future. The pH value of the solution before evaporation is found using a pH meter.
After carrying out all the above studies, the results are analysed using a computer and then the conclusions drawn will be published.

(v) Year-wise Plan of work and targets to achieve:
In the first six months, a thorough literature survey is carried out and required apparatus and books are purchased. All necessary set up is established for the synthesis of polymers. Some of the polymers are procured from the recognised laboratories.
In the next six months, polymers are synthesized and characterised. For characterization of the samples, services will be hired from external laboratories. Effect of changing dopant concentration, temperature, variation of applied electric and magnetic fields on the electrical conductivity are studied. Study of effect of irradiation on the samples is carried out. Study of defect concentration will be studied using Positron lifetime technique.
In the next six months, conclusions are derived from the studies and the conclusions drawn are published.

(vi) Details of collaboration, if any intended:
It is proposed to have collaboration with the Department of Physics of University of Mysore for getting the irradiation facility and also the Positron annihialtion laboratory facility. Also, it is proposed to have collaboration with the District General hospital of Mandya for X-ray irradiation facility. It is proposed to get the electron irradiation done at Microtron centre available in the campus of Mangalore university.

10. Financial Assistance required:
Item Estimated Expenditure
i) Books and journals Rs. 20,000-00
ii) Equipment:
Conductometer(Two probe)and furnace Rs. 40,000-00
Colorimeter Rs. 10,000-00
pH meter Rs. 10,000-00
One digital image recorder Rs. 10,000-00
One Computer for live data storage
and analysis with relevant software Rs. 30,000-00
iii) Field work and Travel Rs. 20,000-00
iv) Chemicals and glassware Rs. 35,000-00
v) Contingency (including hiring service) Rs. 25,000-00
-----------------
Total Rs.2,00,000-00
(Rupees Two lakhs only)
Note: Grant is needed for travel for carrying out irradiation, for getting the characterization data of the samples in different laboratories, for literature survey and to make positron lifetime measurements in samples. A computer with necessary software is needed for live data storage and for carrying out data analysis.
Contingency includes the charges to be paid towards hiring services of getting some of the characterization data for which facility is not available in the college in which the investigation is carried out.
Procurement of chemicals and glassware is necessary in order to synthesize polymer films and carrying out doping of the samples.
Apparatus mentioned above are necessary to carry out different measurements to study various physical and optical properties.

References:
1. Conductive polymers substituted with acid labile functional groups for increasing electrical
conductivity and patternability and composition having the same.
Lee, Suck-hyun (Gwacheon-si, KR) and Lee, Chan-woo (Suwon-si, KR) United States Patent 7067229
2. Polyaniline having high electrical conductivity and producing process thereof.
Lee, Suck-hyun (Gwacheon-si, KR), Lee, Chan-woo (Suwon-si, KR) and Yoon, Ho-sung
(Seongnam- si, KR) United States Patent Application 20050230668
3. Synthesis of polyanilines and its co-polymers by melt condensation.
Afzali-ardakani, Ali (Yorktown Heights, NY) and Gelorme, Jeffrey D. (Plainville, CT)
United States Patent 5554717
4. Methods of fabrication of cross-linked electrically conductive polymers and precursors thereof.
Angelopoulos, Marie (Cortlandt, NY), Gelorme, Jeffrey D. (Plainville, CT) Liao, Yun Hsin (West
Nyack, NY) and Shaw, Jane M. (Ridgefield, CT) United States Patent 6030550
5. The effect of X-ray irradiation on poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and derivatives.
S.C. Graham, R.H. Friend, S. Fung and S.C. Moratti
Synthetic Metals Volume 84, Issues 1-3, January 1997, Pages 903-904
6. Doping of polyaniline and derivatives induced by X-Ray radiation.
J.A. Malmonge and L.H.C. Mattoso Synthetic Metals Volume 84, Issues 1-3, Jan 97, p 779-780
7. The effect of γ-irradiation on the temperature dependence of D.C. electrical conductivity of dry bone
Leszek Kubisz International Journal of Biological Macromolecules Volume 26, Issue 1, Oct 99, Pages 77-81
8. Beneficial effect of gamma irradiation on the N-deacetylation of chitin to form chitosan.
Djamel Tahtat , Cengiz Uzun, Mohamed Mahlous , Olgun Gu¨ven
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 265 (2007) 425–428
9. Radiation-induced degradation of galactomannan polysaccharides.
Murat Sen, Burcu Yolac, Olgun Gu¨ven
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 265 (2007) 429–433
10. Conducting polymers, fundamentals and applications: a practical approach
By Prasanna Chandrasekhar Edition: illustrated Published by Springer, 1999-ISBN 0792385640,
11. Effect of gamma-irradiation on structural and electrical properties of poly (bisphenol-A carbonate) films
A.K. Kalkar, Shankar Kundagol, Suresh Chand and Subhas Chandra International Journal of
Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part C. Radiation Physics and Chemistry
Volume 39, Issue 5, May 1992, Pages 435-442
12. Effect of X-ray irradiation on the thermal expansion of polymers
N. Manohara Murthy and Dwaraka Rani Rao
Journal of Materials Science PublisherSpringer Netherlands Volume 21,Number 4 April, 1986
13. Radiation induced changes in the free volume properties of the polymer PPO. Sreepad et.al.,
Physica Status Solidi (a) 124, 441 (1991).
14.Nature of positron trapping centers in a gamma irradiated Nasicon analogue. Sreepad et. al.,
Physica Status Solidi (a) 128, 1 (1991).
15.Effect of gamma irradiation on the positron trapping centers in the polymer PPO.
Presented at the ninth International Conference on Positron annihilation held in Hungary,
August 1991) Material Science Forum Vol 105-110(1992)p.1245.

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS OF DR. SREEPAD, H.R. (PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR) DURING LAST FIVE YEARS.

Books ;

• Supplementary course material for High School Teachers – Published by
Department of Physics and Electronics, Yuvaraja college, Mysore – 2005.
• Aanandayaatre; Published by VISHIST, Doddamudawadi, Ramanagar Dist.2007.
• Navaratna maale ; Published by Virajananda Satsanga, Holenarasipura, 2008.
• Bhakthashtaka : Published by VISHIST Mysore Branch, December 2008.

In State level Conferences :
1. Gravitation : State level conference, Yuvaraja college, Mysore ; 22-26, Aug 2005
2. Raman Effect: State level conference, Yuvaraja college, Mysore ; 22-26, Aug 2005
3. Attract rural students towards Science Education : UGC sponsored seminar on `Popularizing basic science courses – A modern approach` held at Govt. Science college, Hassan – 31 Aug to 1st Sept 2007.
4.Combating terrorism by NCC activities; NCC Conference, AFG College, Channarayapatna, 21 Nov 2008.

Articles published in magazines:

1. Special problems of college students; Hemavathi p.35, G.F.G.C., H.N.P 2004-05
2. Sharannavaraatriya aacharane heegirali ; Kolar Patrike, 11 Oct 2005
3. Badalaaguttiruva indina samaajadalli Viprana paatra; Part I : Vipra vaahini 30 Oct 05
4. Badalaaguttiruva indina samaajadalli Viprana paatra;Part II : Vipra vaahini 15 Nov05
5. Badalaaguttiruva indina samaajadalli Viprana paatra; PartIII: Vipra vaahini 30 Nov05
6. Panditana Lakshana ; Hosa Aayaama, Jan 2006
7. `Naanu deehavalla` ; Hosa Aayaama, Feb 2006
8. Dheeranaaru? ; Hosa Aayaama, Mar 2006
9. Shresta aapta samalochaka-Geethacharya; Hemavathi p.8, G.F.G.C., H.N.P 2005-06
10. Aagamaapaayinaha ; Hosa Aayaama, May 2006
11. Guru pournime ; Hosa Aayaama, June 2006
12. Avinashi; p.6, Hosa Aayaama, July 2006.
13. Aashaapaasha; Adhyatma prakaasha –75( )2006
14. Sarvarathaayi Bhagavathi; Vipra vaahini, p.13, 15 Sept 2006
15. Atma swaroopa ; Hosa Aayaama, Oct 2006
16. Doddamudawadiya Adhyatma nidhi ; Special supplement of Vipra vaahini,30 Aug 06
17. Sambhavami yuge yuge; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15 Sept 2006
18. Atma Sakshaatkaara ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 30 Sept 2006
19. Prastutada `Da` kaaragalu ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15-30 Oct 2006
20. Panditanaaru? ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15 Nov 2006
21. `Naanu` deehave? ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 30 Nov-15 Dec 2006
22. Dheeranaaru gotte? ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 30 Dec 2006
23. Mahashivaratri; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15-30 Jan 2007
24. Bandu hooguva nentaru; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15 Feb 2007
25. Vishishta Adhyatmika Shibira ; Vipra vaahini p.10, 15 Feb 2007
26. Samatva ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 28 Feb 2007
27. Mahashivaraatri; Adhyatma prakasha, p.170, 76(6), Feb 2007
28. Sat-asat; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15 March 2007
29. Avinashi; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 30 March 2007
30. Aprameya; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15 April 2007
31. Atmahatye sadhyave? ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 30 April 2007
32. Naasharahita, Nityaswaroopa; Vipra vaahini, p9, 15 May 2007.
33. Avikari ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15-30 June 2007
34. Avyakta-achintya; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15 July 2007
35. Avyakta-vyakta-avyakta; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 30 July 2007
36. Ascharya; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15-30 Aug 2007
37. Bhaktiyogavataranike; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15-30 Sept 2007
38. Bhakti ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15 Oct 2007
39. Jeevanaadarsha; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 30 Oct 2007
40. Adveshta sarvabhootaanam, Maitrah ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15-30 Dec 2007
41. Karune; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15-30 Dec 2007
42. Mamakara rahitate ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 15 Jan 2008
43. Aanandayaatre – Apoorvayaatre ; Satsanga, Jan 2008.
44. Aham hoogabeke? ; Vipra vaahini, p.9, 30 Jan- 15 Feb 2008
45. Gurukrupaayaatre ; Shanthikuteer Sandesha, April 2008.
46. Sarvarambha parityaagi ; Vipra vaahini, p.15, 30 April 2008
47. Samachittate ; Vipra vaahini, p.15, 15-30 May 2008
48. Aniketah, Sthiramathihi ; Vipra vaahini, p.15, 15-30 June 2008
49. Ahankara nivarana sadhana(Japa); Vipra vaahini, p13, 1August 2008
50. Sama dukha sukha ; Vipra vaahini, p.15, 30August 2008
51. Budubudikeyavana Aagamana; Adhyatma prakasha, p 24, September 2008.
52. Kshame; Vipra vaahini, 2008 p.15, 15 September 2008
53. Ananda; Hemavathi (G.F.G.C.-H.N.Pura) 2008
54. Attract rural students towards Science Education; Hemavathi, GFGC,H.N.P- 2008
55. Paraabhakthana lakshana; Vipravahini, p15, 30 Sept 2008.
56. Karmayogakke manosiddate; Adhyatma prakasha, p45, 78(2) Oct 2008.
57. Bhaktana lakshana; Vipravahini, p15, 15 Oct 2008.
58. Shuchitva, Anapekshate; Vipravahini, p15, 30 Oct 2008.
59. Mokshakke modala mettilu; Adhyatma prakasha, 78(3) Nov 2008.
60. Harsha, amarsha, bhayoodvega rahita; Vipra vaahini, 2008
61. Shuchitva, anapekshate ; Vipra vaahini, 2008 p.
62. Dakshate ; Vipra vaahini, 2009 p15. 15-30 Jan 2009
63. Udaaseena, Gatavyataha ; Vipra vaahini, 2008 p.
64. Alakkiliyoona ; Vipra vaahini, 2008 p.
65. Kaamigelliya karmayoga? ; Adhyatma prakasha, 78(5) Jan 2009.
66. Bhogaishwarya prasaktaru ; Adhyatma prakasha, 78(6) Feb 2009.
67. Yogasiddhi ; Adhyatma prakasha, 78(7) March 2009.
68. Karmayogadinda truptate ; Adhyatma prakasha, 78(8) April 2009.
69. Phaladaase beda ; Adhyatma prakasha, p.258, 78(9) May 2009.
70. Sundarakanda- ondu vaignanika vishleshane, Kolalu, 21 May 2009.