Kinetics of the changes of thermal decomposition spectra of polybutylmethacrylate-fullerene C$_{60}$ composite subjected to ultraviolet irradiation

By using thermal decomposition mass-spectra the kinetics of ultraviolet induced transformation of polybutylmethacrylate has been described. The enhancement of decomposition at low temperatures occurs after low irradiation doses. Further growth of irradiation dose results in the decrease of the total amount of the monomer formed upon thermal decomposition. In the case of the polybutylmethacrylate-fullerene C$_{60}$ composite the changes of the spectra are observed in the same range of irradiation doses, however, the spectral shapes and intensities exhibit different response to irradiation compared to neat polymer. The effect is interpreted to be a consequence of binding between fullerene molecule and the products of decomposition of the side ester groups of macromolecule.