Influence of γ-ray radiation on the structure and properties of paper grade bamboo pulp

Paper grade bamboo pulp with high molecular weight was irradiated in air by 60Co γ-ray to improve its dissolving property in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate (NMMO·H2O). The effects of γ-ray radiation on the structure and properties of the bamboo cellulose were investigated. The results showed that the bamboo cellulose with a G(s) value of 0.94 μmol J−1 was easily degraded by the 60Co γ-ray radiation. When the radiation dose increased, the average degree of polymerization (DP¯) of bamboo cellulose was decreased and its molecular weight distribution (MWD) became narrow, while its crystalline structure did not change obviously. Consequently, a spinning dope with high cellulose concentration and good spinnability was obtained in the range of absorbed dose from 5 to 10 kGy. This work presented an economic method to prepare regenerated bamboo cellulose fiber from paper grade bamboo pulp.