RESUMO
This work is an attempt to develop flexible radiation shielding based on a blend of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and LaFeO3 nanoparticles (NPs). LaFeO3 and LaFeO3/PMMA/PVAc were made using simple chemical techniques. A high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that well-crystallized LaFeO3 NPs with particles 79 nm in size and an orthorhombic shape were obtained. In addition, XRD confirmed the existence of PMMA, PVAc, and LaFeO3 in the nanocomposite films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed that the LaFeO3 NPs and the reactive functional groups in the blend interacted with each other. Field emission-scan electron microscope (FE-SEM) analysis showed that PMMA and PVAc form a homogenous blend and that the LaFeO3 NPs were spread out inside and on the blend surface. The samples showed transmittance in the range of 30-74% and a small extinction coefficient (≤ 0.08). The samples exhibited a dual-band gap structure, and the direct (indirect) band gap shrank from 5.1 to 4.7 eV (4.9 to 4.4 eV). The thermal analyses showed that the samples are thermally stable up to 260 °C. The Phy-X/PSD software was used to figure out the theoretical gamma-ray attenuation parameters, such as the mass attenuation coefficient, the mean free path, and the half-value layer, for different PMMA/PVAc + x% LaFeO3 composites. It is demonstrated that the PMMA/PVAc + 10 wt% LaFeO3 sample exhibits much better shielding effectiveness than PMMA/PVAc, and hence it is suitable for protecting against radiation.
RESUMO
In this work, recycled high-density polyethylene plastic (r-HDPE) reinforced with ilmenite mineral (Ilm) in different ratios (0, 15, 30, and 45 wt%) as a sustainable and flexible radiation shielding material was manufactured using the melt blending method. XRD patterns and FTIR spectra demonstrated that the polymer composite sheets were successfully developed. The morphology and elemental composition were addressed using SEM images and EDX spectra. Moreover, the mechanical characteristics of the prepared sheets were also studied. The gamma-ray attenuation characteristics for established r-HDPE + x% Ilm composite sheets were theoretically computed between 0.015 and 15 MeV using Phy-X/PSD software. Also, the mass attenuation coefficients have been compared to their values by the WinXCOM program. It is also shown that the shielding performance of the r-HDPE + 45% Ilm composite sheet is significantly greater than that of r-HDPE. As a result, the ilmenite-incorporated recycled high-density polyethylene sheets are suited for medical and industrial radiation shielding applications.
RESUMO
This study investigates the physical and optical properties as well as the radiation shielding capacity of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) loaded with x% of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) (x = 0, 1, 3, and 6 wt%). As a non-toxic nanofiller, the designed materials are low-cost, flexible, and lightweight plastic to replace traditional lead, which is toxic and dense. XRD patterns and FTIR spectra demonstrated a successful fabrication and complexation of nanocomposite films. In addition, the particle size, morphology, and elemental composition of the BiVO4 nanofiller were demonstrated through the utilization of TEM, SEM, and EDX spectra. The MCNP5 simulation code assessed the gamma-ray shielding effectiveness of four PVC + x% BiVO4 nanocomposites. The obtained mass attenuation coefficient data of the developed nanocomposites were comparable to the theoretical calculation performed with Phy-X/PSD software. Moreover, the initial stage in the computation of various shielding parameters, such as half-value layer, tenth value layer, and mean free path, besides the simulation of linear attenuation coefficient. The transmission factor declines while radiation protection efficiency increases with an increase in the proportion of BiVO4 nanofiller. Further, the current investigation seeks to evaluate the thickness equivalent (Xeq), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff) values as a function of the concentration of BiVO4 in a PVC matrix. The results obtained from the parameters indicate that incorporating BiVO4 into PVC can be an effective strategy for developing sustainable and lead-free polymer nanocomposites, with potential uses in radiation shielding applications.
