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LDPE/Bismuth Oxide Nanocomposite: Preparation, Characterization and Application in X-ray Shielding
Saad Alshahri1, Mohammed Alsuhybani1, Eid Alosime1
1Nuclear Science Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia.
Polymers
|September 28, 2021
Summary
New polymer composites using bismuth oxide nanofillers offer a lightweight, non-toxic alternative for X-ray radiation shielding. The LDPE + Bi2O3 (15%) composite demonstrated superior shielding efficiency, blocking 80% of X-rays at 47.9 keV.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Radiation Physics
Background:
- Traditional lead-based materials pose toxicity and weight concerns for radiation shielding.
- Development of advanced polymer composites is crucial for safer and more efficient radiation shielding applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanofiller-reinforced low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites for lead-free X-ray radiation shielding.
- To evaluate the structural, physical, mechanical, thermal, and radiation shielding properties of these nanocomposites.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of LDPE-based composites with varying weight percentages of Bi2O3 (5%, 10%, 15%).
- Comprehensive characterization including structural, physical, mechanical, thermal, and X-ray shielding efficiency analysis.
- Measurement of X-ray attenuation properties at different energies.
Main Results:
- Incorporation of Bi2O3 nanofillers enhanced the density and slightly improved the tensile strength and modulus of the LDPE composites.
- Significant improvement in X-ray shielding efficiency was observed with increasing Bi2O3 content.
- The LDPE + Bi2O3 (15%) composite exhibited the lowest thickness for 50% X-ray attenuation and blocked approximately 80% of X-rays at 47.9 keV.
Conclusions:
- LDPE-Bi2O3 nanocomposites present a promising lightweight, non-toxic alternative to lead for X-ray radiation shielding.
- The shielding performance can be tailored by adjusting the Bi2O3 filler concentration.
- Further development with thicker shields or higher filler percentages can ensure effective radiation blocking in practical applications.
