Polymer composites, which are light in weight, cost effective, and less toxic, have potential applications in X-ray and γ-ray shielding and protection. In this work, we have explored the efficacy of poly(vinyl alcohol)-bismuth oxide composites as radiation shielding materials. Poly(vinyl alcohol) composites with different wt % (0-50) of bismuth were prepared by a simple solution casting technique. Structural and thermal characterization of these samples was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA revealed the enhanced thermal stability of these composites. AC conductivity measurements and optical spectroscopy were used to analyze their electrical behavior. The composites showed low conductivity, and the energy gap obtained also showed their tendency to be insulators. The radiation attenuation properties were investigated using X-ray (5.895 and 6.490 keV) and γ-ray (59.54 and 662 keV) transmission measurements. The shielding efficiency of the composites increased with filler wt %. The 40 wt % composites exhibited mass attenuation coefficients of 122.68 and 93.02 cm 2 /g at photon energies of 5.895 and 6.490 keV, respectively, while the 50 wt % composites showed 1.57 and 0.092 cm 2 /g at photon energies of 59.54 and 662 keV, respectively. The effective atomic number quantifies the probability of interaction of radiation with matter. The effective atomic number of the composites calculated by the direct method was in good agreement with the theoretical value obtained from Auto-Zeff software.

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AbstractThe growing demand for lightweight, non-toxic and effective X- and γ-ray shielding materials in various fields has led to the exploration of various polymer composites for shielding applications. In this study, tungsten filled polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites of varying WO3 concentrations (0 - 50 wt%) were prepared by solution cast technique. The structural, morphological, and thermal properties of the prepared composite films were studied using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The AC conductivity studies showed the low conductivity property of the composites. The X-ray (5.895 and 6.490 keV) and γ-ray (59.54 and 662 keV) attenuation studies performed using CdTe and NaI(Tl) detector spectrometers revealed a noticeable increase in shielding efficiency with increase in filler wt%. The effective atomic number (Zeff) calculated by the direct method agreed with the values obtained using Auto-Zeff software. The % heaviness showed that tungsten filled polyvinyl alcohol composites are lighter than traditional shielding materials.

Epoxy resin filled with suitable high Z elements can be a potential shield for X‐rays and γ‐rays. In this work, we present the γ‐ray attenuation properties of epoxy composites filled with (0–30 wt%) Tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) and Ta2O5‐Bi2O3, which were prepared by open mold cast technique. X‐ray diffraction patterns showed crystalline peaks of Ta2O5 and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) in the prepared epoxy‐Ta2O5 and epoxy‐Ta2O5‐Bi2O3 composites. Homogeneity of the samples at higher filler wt% was revealed by SEM images. Mechanical characterization showed the enhanced mechanical strength of epoxy‐Ta2O5‐Bi2O3 composites compared to epoxy‐Ta2O5. Higher storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the epoxy‐Ta2O5‐Bi2O3 composites showed enhanced stiffness and thermal stability when compared to neat and epoxy‐Ta2O5. Decrease in the value of tan(δ) at higher content of filler loadings indicated the good adhesion between filler and matrix. Mass attenuation coefficients of epoxy‐Ta2O5 (30 wt%) composites at γ‐ray energies 59.54 and 662 keV were found to be 0.876 cm2 g–1 and 0.084 cm2 g–1, while that of epoxy‐Ta2O5‐Bi2O3 (30 wt% Bi2O3) composite were 1.271 cm2 g–1 and 0.088 cm2 g–1, respectively. The epoxy‐5% Ta2O5‐30% Bi2O3 composites with higher μ/ρ value and tensile strength may be a potential γ‐ray shield in various radiation environments.