On the crosslinking of cellulose under exposure to radiation

The effect of gamma-irradiation of air-dry cotton cellulose on the degree of order of its supermolecular structure was studied at room temperature within a dose range of 0-2 MGy. The degree of order was evaluated by measuring the crystallinity index by the X-ray diffraction technique and the water-retaining capacity of irradiated cellulose upon both equilibrium saturation with water vapor and swelling in liquid water. The buildup of macroradicals in irradiated cellulose and their decay upon plasticization with water during a postradiation period were also studied. The complex behavior revealed was explained in terms of the effect of radiation-chemical crosslinks on the mobility of macrochains and on the submicroscopic capillarity of cellulose fiber structure.