Application of paracrystalline lattice theory to the analysis of differential radial distribution function of amorphotized polyethylene

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Abstract
The structure of amorphotized polyethylene (APE) obtained by irradiation of branched PE was studied by means of differential radial distribution function (DRDF) analysis of its WAXS. The experimental DRDF shows intramolecular peaks at 1.5 and 2.5 Å and intermolecular peaks at 5.3, 9.8, 14.7, 18.6 and 23.4 Å The experimental DRDF was compared with a synthetic DRDF based on the application of paracrystalline lattice theory to a distorted hexagonal lattice. The synthetic DRDF with the best fit has lattice constants, a = 4.94 and c = 2.54 Å, and the fluctuation parameters of g11 ≃ g12 ≅ 18%, g13 ≃ g31 ≅ g32 ≃ 6%, and g33 ≃ 10%. Our analysis suggests that a hexagonal lattice, albeit distorted, is still present in the amorphotized state of PE. The extent of lateral order is estimated to be about 50 Å, as compared to about 30 Å for molten PE.