Irradiation of cellulose in presence of various radiosensitive and radioprotective chemicals

To investigate the effect of various probable protecting and sensitizing reagents, a screening of the chemicals was carried out on the basis of tensile strength and degree of polymerization (D.P.). The cotton cellulose in the presence of these chemicals was irradiated in air as well as under nitrogen atmosphere at a dosage of 1.457 x 107 rads (1.5 MR). The results indicated that: (1) replacing air by nitrogen during irradiation had no appreciable affect on the properties of treated cotton cellulose (2) the presence of amines and alcohols during irradiation offered protection to cellulose molecule and (3) amongst all the reagents screened, ethylene diamine topped the list in radio-protection while indole topped in radio-sensitization. (author)