The effect of gamma radiation on the supramolecular structure of pine wood cellulose in situ revealed by X-ray diffraction

This study investigated the changes in the supramolecular structure of pine wood cellulose in situ treated by various of doses gamma radiation (from 20 kGy to 9000 kGy). From the dose of 120 kGy the degree of crystallinity (xc) of wood cellulose slightly decreased, while at the dose of 500-4500 kGy dropped rapidly. At 9000 kGy occures a total degradation of cellulose, both crystalline and amorphous. Along with the increase in the gamma radiation of wood, both the crystallinity degree and the average size of the crystallites of cellulose decrease. The curve of changes in the crystallinity degree was similar to that of the changes in the average size of the crystallites of cellulose.