SRS Radiation Induced Polymerization of 2,4-Hexadiynediol-BIS-(p-Toluenesulphonate) (PTS)

An assessment has been made of the defect structure of single crystalline 2,4 Hexadiyne diol-bis-(p-toluene sulphonate) (PTS) both in the monomer and polymer form, using White Beam Synchrotron Radiation Topography. A one to one relationship was found between defects present in the monomer and subsequent polymer crystal. The strain induced during the polymerization process has also been recorded. This strain which builds up during the initial stages of polymerization, relaxes when polymerization is complete, to leave a polymer crystal with the defect structure of the original monomer crystal ‘frozen in'. No evidence was found for an influence of growth dislocations on the radiation induced polymerization process.