Evaluation of Porosity for Gamma Irradiated Poly(ethylene oxide): A New Approach Using Microscopic Image Aided with Computer Programming

Porous polymer films of Poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO) are synthesized by solution casting technique using gamma irradiated: (a) PEO powder (S-series) and (b) PEO - methanol solution (L-series). Pore phase forms instantaneously during preparation. Optimization of the pore content and distribution enables tailoring of associated properties for multifaceted applications. This method could be analyzed for mapping of porosity and average pore size. Practicability and repeatability of the developed programme has been established for monophasic system using backscattered imaging mode of SEM. This program is underdevelopment, but PROGIMAGE-POR bears the novelty of using image from either 2D-or 3D imaging system and could be applied for intricate composite/layered system.