Application of electron beam on natural polymer systems. Viscose rayon and polysaccharide derivatives

Application of electron accelerator on natural polymers, viscose rayon and polysaccharide derivatives is presented. In Canada at AECL, a high-energy (10 MeV) electron linear accelerator named IMPELA was used to reduce and control molecular weight of cellulose. Recently, under UNDP/RCA/IAEA project, Asian countries had a cooperated research program on this subject. Kinetics of radiation chemistry of polysaccharide derivatives is under investigation by means of pulse radiolysis with a 35 MeV electron linear accelerator. Rate constants between polymers and hydrated electron etc., and characteristics of very long-lived polymer radical were reported. (author)