Phase Transformations of Gelling Substances in Irradiated Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Pectin, starch, gelatin, and wheat flour in dilute aqueous solutions undergo irreversible aggregation and sedimentation even at absorbed doses lower than 1 kGy. Irradiation narrows the size distribution of suspended particles in solution. It is noted that the effect of irradiation is caused not only by intermolecular crosslinking but also by the electrostatic effect of charged radiolytic intermediates. The decrease in the aggregative stability of gelling substances on the irradiation of their dilute solutions can be used for practical wastewater treatment and for the target-oriented synthesis of aggregates with a specified particle size distribution.