Gamma radiolysis of aqueous solution of acrylic and polyacrylic acid in the presence of Cu2+

The inhibitory action of cupric ions in the process of radiation polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) in aqueous solution was investigated as well as the reaction of the products of gamma radiolysis of water with polyacrylic acid (PAA) in the presence of cupric ions. In the case of AA-CuSO₄ and PAA-CuSO₄ systems irradiated at 77 K an external protective effect caused by copper ions was observed. This effect was connected with the electron transfer between a radical and the Cu²⁺ ion. During radiolysis of copper arcylate (A₂Cu) and a system AA-A₂Cu in aqueous solutions a protective effect exerted by copper ions was observed which seemed to be connected with the dispersion of the absorbed radiation energy by the groups: copper-ligands.