Trapping ability of radicals in a polymer matrix

The state of aggregation of polymer molecules strongly affects the trapping ability of radicals of the polymer matrix. The trapping ability in the crystalline texture decreases in the following order [1267]  

the conformation of the molecular chain is changed at the radical site  

the paired radicals produced by scission of a chemical bond are separated enough to prevent their recombination  

the radicals do not migrate so far in order to react with other radicals. 

Polymeric glasses are not particularly good at trapping radical species unless they are cooled to very low temperatures. 

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