Effect of gamma-irradiation on cotton-cellulose

The effect of high-energy irradiation on cotton-cellulose was studied in in ert atmosphere and in the presence of oxygen. A decrease in the degree of p olymerization from 1200 to 330 was measured after irradiation with a dose o f 15 kGy (dose rate 100 Gy/h) and further gradual decrease was measured whe n the dose was increased up to 100 kGy. At lower doses a slight increase in crease recovery angle was found as compared to the unirradiated sample. In the FTIR spectra of the same sample the appearance of the absorbance of ca rbonyl groups (band at 1730-1750 cm(-1)) was found as a consequence of the oxidative degradation. Cracks on the surface of the fibers were observed by scanning electron microscope on samples irradiated with doses higher than 100 kGy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.