Ionizing radiation influence on the morphological and thermal characteristics of a biocomposite prepared with gelatin and Brazil nut wastes as fiber source

Composites of acrylamide, glycerin, gelatin and Brazil nuts shell fiber have been prepared by the solution/suspension casting technique. The effect of two doses of electron beam (EB) irradiation on the structural properties of the polymeric composites has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscope (SEM), gel content and the swelling behavior. Gel content increased with the radiation dose. The results obtained by X-ray diffraction analysis suggest that crystallinity decreases with increasing dose. The gelatin/fiber composites, before and after irradiation, showed to be poorly stable against thermal decomposition.