Efficient Preparation of Poly(allyl diglycol carbonate) (PADC) Nuclear Track Detectors: UV Photopolymerization

The decay of radon gas in soil and buildings produces alpha radiation, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer in humans. Therefore, by conveniently detecting radon gas in the environment, potential sources of danger can be identified early, and necessary measures can be taken to protect human health. Solid-state nuclear track detectors prepared from polyallyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) resin are the most sensitive detectors for alpha radiation released by radon gas. The traditional method of preparing PADC resin involves free radical thermal polymerization, which suffers from issues such as low polymerization efficiency, long processing time, and the occurrence of defects in the product. In this study, PADC resin was efficiently prepared using a UV initiator. Starting from the polymerization mechanism, experiments were designed using a controlled variable approach, and a rational polymerization apparatus was devised. By comparing the double bond conversion rate, transparency, hardness, and yellowness index of the polymers, the optimal initiator for PADC resin, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propanone (1173), was selected. The influence of irradiation intensity, irradiation time, and UV initiator dosage was investigated. The performance of the polymers, including double bond conversion rate, optical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, etching rate, and track detection efficiency, was analyzed. The experimental conditions for preparing PADC resin were optimized: irradiation intensity of 12 mW/cm², irradiation time of 25 min, and UV initiator dosage of 5 parts. The resulting resin polymer had a double bond conversion rate of 93.2% and a track detection efficiency of 0.714.