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The non-cross-linked and cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films were prepared by the casting method then irradiated with gamma rays for various doses up to 300 kGy. The structure and characterization of PVA were determined by using Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Swelling behaviour was also investigated. Mechanical properties have been examined with respect to the absorbed dose. The color of the films changed to yellowish-white after irradiation and the crystallinity of the films decreased with increasing dose. Additional changes observed by FTIR analysis of the degradation products demonstrated that the radiolysis of PVA was initiated by liberation of H and OH groups leading to scission of the main chains and formation of carbonyl and double bond groups. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. The FTIR, UV, XRD and mechanical properties indicate that the addition of cross-linker led to high degrees of interaction between the cross-linker and the macromolecules of polymeric chains and acted as a stabilizing agent against gamma irradiation.

Carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels were synthesized by grafting of acrylamide (AAm) and methacrylic acid (MAAc) individually with different concentrations onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using direct radiation grafting technique. It was found that for both Poly(CMC/AAm) and Poly(CMC/MAAc), the grafting yield and grafting ratio increase with the increasing monomer concentration. Also, it is noted that both grafting ratio and grafting yield of Poly(CMC/AAm) are higher than that of Poly(CMC/MAAc). The effect of different monomer concentrations on gel (%) and swelling behavior was studied. It is found that the increasing monomer concentration increases gel (%). For Poly(CMC/AAm) hydrogels, the swelling behavior decreases with increasing AAm concentration due to high crosslinking hydrogel formation, while as MAAc content increases, swelling behavior increases up to Poly(CMC/MAAc) 1:25 wt%. Swelling kinetics and diffusion mechanism indicate that the water penetration obeys non-Fickian transport mechanism. The structures and properties of the original CMC and the prepared Poly(CMC/MAAc) and Poly(CMC/AAm) were characterized using different analytical tools such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). This study provides a solution to the discharge of different pollutants from wastewater. The adsorption capacity of Poly(CMC/MAAc) and Poly(CMC/AAm) hydrogels toward heavy metals, Cu +2 and Co +2, dyes such as acid blue dye and methyl green, and organic contaminants such as 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid has been investigated.

Polypropylene (PP)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) blend films were prepared by changing content of CMC in the range of 0-20 wt%. Different analytical techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate some selected properties such as thermal properties, tensile strength, elongation and morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to identify the chemical structure of the prepared blend films. The blend film with composition PP/15 wt% CMC was selected due to its modified properties rather than other blends. The properties of original and irradiated PP/15 wt% CMC blend were investigated. It was found that the swelling behaviour is slightly increased with increasing CMC content and does not exceed 7%. It is observed that for PP/15 wt% CMC as irradiation dose increases the mechanical property (tensile strength) is enhanced up to 10 kGy and water resistant increases. The prepared PP/CMC with different concentration blends and the selected irradiated PP/15 wt% CMC blend with different doses 0, 5, 10 and 20 kGy were subjected to biodegradation in soil burial tests for 6 months using two different types of soils, namely, agricultural and desert soils. The properties of original PP/CMC blends and irradiated PP/15 wt% CMC blend that undergo biodegradation were investigated by mechanical test and SEM. From the study it can be concluded that there is a possibility of using PP/15 wt% CMC blend film irradiated to 10 kGy as a potential candidate for packaging purpose.

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