Secondary chain motion and mechanical properties of γ-irradiated-regenerated cellulose films

Abstract

Regenerated cellulose films prepared using NaOH/urea solvent system were exposed to different doses of γ-radiation, ranging from 5 to 50 kGy to modify their properties. Change in relative crystallinity as a function of absorbed dose was studied using XRD. The tensile and dynamic mechanical properties were tested and it was found that exposure to 10 kGy imparted maximum improvement in these properties, that is 10% improvement in tensile strength, 43% increase in Young's modulus, and 22% increase in storage modulus. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy technique was used to investigate effect of absorbed dose on the secondary chain motions of the regenerated cellulose and the results were in line with findings of the tensile and dynamic mechanical tests.