Composites cement/BaSO₄/Fe₃O₄/CuO for improving X-ray absorption characteristics and structural properties

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Medical Physics
• Radiation Protection

Background:

• X-ray radiation shielding is crucial in medical facilities.
• Traditional shielding materials like concrete have limitations.
• Development of advanced composite materials is needed for efficient shielding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel cement-based composites incorporating BaSO4, Fe3O4, and varying amounts of CuO (2-8 wt%).
• To evaluate the X-ray shielding efficacy of these composites.
• To explore their potential as alternatives to conventional shielding materials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of composite materials with different CuO concentrations.
• Characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
• Measurement of shielding parameters (mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient, half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP)) using a mobile X-ray source (55-77 keV).

Main Results:

• The synthesized composites exhibited good structural and bonding properties.
• Shielding performance showed strong agreement with XCOM database theoretical calculations for energies < 77 keV.
• The composite with 8 wt% CuO demonstrated the lowest HVL and MFP, indicating superior shielding capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The cement/BaSO4/Fe3O4/CuO composite, particularly with 8 wt% CuO, is a highly effective X-ray radiation shield.
• Its performance surpasses that of previously reported rubber-based composites.
• This material holds significant potential for designing efficient and novel radiology rooms as a concrete alternative.