Radiation-thermal destruction of cellulose

A method of reducing the degree of polymerization of cellulose is explored. The cellulose is irradiated with gamma radiation from a /sup 60/Co source. The temperature is controlled between 303-433/sup 0/K. The temperature dependence of the depolymerization is described graphically. The radiation destruction of cellulose is accompanied by the formation of carboxyl and carbonyl groups. The carbonyl concentration is considerably higher than carboxyl at all temperatures. The concentrations of these groups increases with increasing temperature.