Complete‐Lifecycle‐Available, Lightweight and Flexible Hierarchical Structured Bi₂WO₆/WO₃/PAN Nanofibrous Membrane for X‐Ray Shielding and Photocatalytic Degradation

Abstract

Faced with the presence of radiation sources in many different areas, researchers are beginning to focus on the development of personal protective equipment. The design and manufacture of lightweight, lead‐free, and flexible X‐ray shielding materials have recently become a challenge in materials science, whereas, high‐Z materials, which are essential raw materials for high‐performance X‐ray protective fillers, are non‐renewable, and their exploitation and utilization usually require long‐term planning. In this study, a new route is demonstrated to the preparation of multifunctional polymer/high‐Z material nanofibrous membrane through electrospinning and subsequent solvothermal processes. The resultant Bi2WO6/WO3/polyacrylonitrile hybrid nanofibrous membrane possesses a remarkable X‐ray attenuating property with an attenuation rate of 90.10% at 30 keV and a mass attenuation coefficient of 2.97 cm2 g−1 at 83 keV. In addition, the freestanding hybrid nanofibrous membrane also possesses excellent photocatalytic activities for the degrading of cationic water pollutants, showing promising potential in industrial wastewater treatment, and providing a new strategy for the design and applications of multifunctional and recyclable shielding materials.

BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I)/WO3/Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibrous Membranes for Diagnostic X-Ray Shielding and Visible-Light Photocatalysis

“…SEM and TEM measurements were applied to observe the morphology of the as-prepared samples. As shown in Figure S1, the WO 3 nanorods (Figure S1a) were embedded in the PAN nanofibers (Figure S1b), and after the solvothermal reaction, PW nanofibers wrapped with WO 3 on the fibers were acquired (Figure S1c), as shown in our previous report . After the SILAR process, BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) nanostructures were superimposed on the original WO 3 nanostructure, as illustrated in Figure .…”

“…First, WO 3 nanorod seeds were embedded into the PAN nanofibers through an electrospinning process, and then a dense hierarchical WO 3 shell was coated on the surface of the PAN nanofibers induced by the WO 3 seeds under a solvothermal reaction in WCl 6 alcoholic solution. The as-synthesized sample was labeled as PW, and the synthetic process and characterization of PW were described in detail in our previous work . Finally, densely layered BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) nanosheets were grown on the surface of the PW nanofibers via a SILAR process (Scheme b), and the resultant BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I)/WO 3 /PAN nanofibrous membranes obtained were labeled as PWBX (X = Cl, Br, I).…”

Polymer Fibers Highly Filled with Styrene Maleic Anhydride-Modified PbWO4 for Improved Wear Comfort of γ-ray-Shielding Articles

“…Overlapped fabrics have the ability to shield high-energy photons, while it offers curving passages for air permeability, as depicted in Figure . Much work has been reported on polymer-based fibers such as barium sulfate/regenerated cellulose fibers and bismuth tungstate/tungsten oxide/polyacrylonitrile hybrid nanofibers for X-ray shielding. , Note that relatively low filling of functional fillers in the polymers has been achieved. It should be pointed out that material density plays pivotal roles in shielding high-energy photons according to the classical theory of radiation shielding. , That is, it is hard to satisfy the requirements of higher-energy γ-ray shielding.…”

“…Much work has been reported on polymer-based fibers such as barium sulfate/ regenerated cellulose fibers and bismuth tungstate/tungsten oxide/polyacrylonitrile hybrid nanofibers for X-ray shielding. 20,21 Note that relatively low filling of functional fillers in the polymers has been achieved. It should be pointed out that material density plays pivotal roles in shielding high-energy photons according to the classical theory of radiation shielding.…”

Electrospun Tungsten‐Polyurethane Composite Nanofiber Mats for Medical Radiation‐Shielding Applications

“…Industrial and medical facilities typically build specially isolated areas to prevent external exposure of the radiation generated by certain machineries, and shielding sheets or suits are commonly used to protect workers from being exposed to high levels of radiation doses. Thus, professionals have actively utilized portable radiation equipment including wearable shielding suits to minimize their exposure to hazardous radiation sources [2,8,9] …”