Radiation-thermal destruction of cellulose

The effect of ionizing radiation on cellulose at elevated temperatures (303-433 K) is studied with the aim of accelerating the process of its destruction. Cellulose irradiation is performed in the aerial medium or in vacuum in 60Co γ-device with the dose rate of 20 kGy/hr. Radiation chemical destruction yields are determined, they equal 7.4, 16 and 18.3 at temperatures 363, 423 and 433 K, respectively. On the curve of the temperature dependence of cellulose radiation destruction, the presence of two temperature regions is noted: ranges of practical yield independence on temperature (up to approximately 380 K) and ranges of significant yield increase with temperature growth (above 380 K). The activation energy of process at the temperature above 380 K equals 6.0+-0.4 ccal/mol