Evaluation of radiation shielding properties of the polyvinyl alcohol/iron oxide polymer composite

Abstract

Context:Lead is the conventional shielding material against gamma/X-rays. It has some limitations such as toxic, high density, nonflexibility, and also bremsstrahlung production during electron interaction. It may affect the accuracy of radiotherapy outcome.Aims:To theoretically analyze the radiation shielding properties of flexible polyvinyl alcohol/iron oxide polymer composite with five different concentrations of magnetite over the energy range of 15 KeV–20 MeV.Subjects and Methods:Radiological properties were calculated based on the published literature. Attenuation coefficients of pure elements are generated with the help of WinXCOM database.Results:Effective atomic numbers and electron density are increased with the concentration of magnetite. On the other hand, the number of electrons per gram decreased. Mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ϼ) and linear attenuation coefficients (μ) are higher in the lower energy <100 KeV, and their values decreased when the energy increased. Computed tomography numbers (CT) show the significant variation between the concentrations in <60 KeV. Half-value layer and tenth-value layers are directly proportional to the energy and indirectly proportional to the concentration of magnetite. Transmission curve, relaxation length (ƛ), kinetic energy released in the matter, and elemental weight fraction are also calculated and the results are discussed.Conclusions:0.5% of the magnetite gives superior shielding properties compared with other concentrations. It may be due to the presence of 0.3617% of Fe. Elemental weight fraction, atomic number, photon energy, and mass densities are the important parameters to understand the shielding behavior of any material.

Polymeric composite materials for radiation shielding: a review

“…The polyacrylamide (PAGAT) gel and metal nanoparticle (different concentrations of gold and silver) verified the water equivalency based on an effective atomic number (Sathiyaraj et al 2017 ). Different percentages of tungsten carbide (50, 60, and 70%) were added and tested against gamma radiation ( 137 Cs and 131 I and 241 Am), and the best shielding efficiency against gamma radiation was revealed by the composite with 70% tungsten carbide (WC) (Soylu et al 2015 ). Different percentages of tungsten carbide (50, 60, and 70%) were added and tested against gamma radiation ( 137 Cs and 131 I and 241 Am), the best shielding efficiency against gamma radiation was revealed by the composite with 70% tungsten carbide (Özdemir et al 2018 ).…”

“…The radiation shielding properties of flexible polyvinyl alcohol/iron oxide polymer composite with five different concentrations of magnetite were investigated in the energy range of 15 keV-20 meV. 0.5% of the magnetite which gives superior shielding properties compared with other concentrations (Srinivasan and Samuel 2017).…”

Tailoring bismuth borate glasses by incorporating PbO/GeO2 for protection against nuclear radiation

“…Using suitable shielding may ensure better safety of radiation workers against its harmful dosages. Consequently, many researchers have been paid a great effort to develop and design well-formed radiation shielding materials 4 – 6 .…”

“…In this view, a range of materials, including concrete, lead, oxide glass, etc., have been developed and used to shield radiation 1 , 2 , 4 . Concrete has been formed from a loosely compacted mass of small fragments or particles 4 , 7 . It has several limitations to be used as shielding in a nuclear reactor.…”

Advanced lead free, multi-constituent-based composite materials for shielding against diagnostic X-rays

“…Study of lead as X-ray radiation protection source, was reported by Susilo M Rehma et al [5]. K. Srinivasan and co-workers have reported the evaluation of radiation shielding properties of the polyvinyl alcohol/iron oxide polymer composite [6]. Although due to various drawbacks of these conventional materials, there is an urgent need to develop alternative methods for the production of cheap and durable radiation shielding materials.…”