Reduction and aggregation of silver, copper and cadmium ions in aqueous solutions of gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose

Radiolytic reduction of silver, copper and cadmium ions and the subsequent formation of their clusters was studied in aqueous gelatin or carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solutions. Presence of gelatin or CMC in the solution affects the early processes. The rate of reduction by hydrated electron reduces due to complexation. However, when the ratio of silver ions to monomeric chains decreases over a certain limit the process of reduction inhibits completely. The effect of ionic strength or pH and the reducing radical on the rate of formation of colloidal Cu and Cd is also discussed