The X-rays of the narrow-spectrum N-series ranging from 40 kV to 150 kV were
used to determine the radiation attenuation ability of a new category of a
polymer composite fabricated for shielding purposes. High density
polyethylene was synthesized through a compression molding technique, and
incorporated with various filler amounts (10, 15, 25, and 35 wt.%) of bulk
micro-sized WO 3 (Sample A), two WO 3 nanoparticles 45 nm (Sample B), and 24
nm (Sample C). The WO 3 filler was identified and characterized using X-ray
diffraction and a transmission electron microscope. The mass distribution of
the chemical elements of the synthesized composites was determined by
energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The obtained results of the different
attenuation parameters revealed that the particle size and weight fraction
of WO particles have an outstanding effect on the X-ray shielding ability of
this composite. The 3 experimental measurements of the mass attenuation
coefficients were compared to the theoretical values tabulated in the NIST
databases XCOM and FFAST. The mass attenuation coefficient was increased
with the increment of WO 3 wt.% as well as with the decrease of the WO 3
particle size. This improvement in the attenuation parameters of the NP(C)
composite suggests their promising applications in radiation protection at
the diagnostic level.
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