Destabilization of water-organic dispersions under the influence of an electron beam

• Electron beaming produces coagulation in aqueous dispersions.
• Decelerating the incident electrons in bulk of dispersion aggravates coagulation.
• Thin-layer beaming, de-electrifying or acidifying the samples improves coagulation.

Influence of an irradiation on aqueous dispersions of starch, lignin and humic acids has been investigated using monoenergetic and multienergetic electron beams. As shown, coagulation and sedimentation of dispersed solids were initiated in the irradiated samples, however in neutral dispersions the multienergetic beam had a smaller effect compared to a monoenergetic beam. As supposed, the coagulation slowdown effect is caused by formation and repulsion of singlycharged and multiply-charged micelles during electron deceleration and capture directly in the bulk of dispersion.