Transfer of Energy in Solid Plastic Solutions

The mechanism of energy transfer from excited solvent molecules to the solute, in plastic phosphors is investigated. Energy transfer efficiencies in styrene and polystyrene solutions are compared. The question whether the phenomenon of energy transfer in plastic systems is the consequence of an intramolecular process in the polymer molecule, is discussed. It is shown that such a process is not an essential condition for high-energy transfer efficiency in plastic solutions. The experimental data furnish strong evidence that energy transfer is the result of intermolecular processes, similar to those occurring in liquid solutions.