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Optical and radiation shielding properties of PVC/BiVO4 nanocomposite
Said M Kassem1, M I A Abdel Maksoud2, Adel M El Sayed3
1Radiation Protection and Dosimetry Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt.
Scientific Reports
|July 6, 2023
Summary
This study developed flexible, lightweight polymer nanocomposites using bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for effective radiation shielding. The BiVO4-PVC materials offer a safer, lead-free alternative for radiation protection applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Nanocomposites
- Radiation Shielding
Background:
- Traditional radiation shielding materials like lead are toxic and dense.
- There is a need for flexible, lightweight, and non-toxic alternatives for radiation shielding.
- Polymer nanocomposites offer a promising avenue for developing advanced shielding materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physical, optical, and radiation shielding properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) loaded with bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanofillers.
- To evaluate the potential of these lead-free nanocomposites as replacements for traditional shielding materials.
- To assess the impact of BiVO4 concentration on the shielding effectiveness and material properties.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PVC + x% BiVO4 (x = 0, 1, 3, 6 wt%) nanocomposite films.
- Characterization using XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM, and EDX for structural and morphological analysis.
- Assessment of gamma-ray shielding effectiveness using MCNP5 simulations and Phy-X/PSD software.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication and complexation of BiVO4-PVC nanocomposites confirmed by XRD and FTIR.
- TEM, SEM, and EDX confirmed the particle size, morphology, and elemental composition of BiVO4 nanofillers.
- Increased BiVO4 concentration led to decreased transmission factor and increased radiation protection efficiency, comparable to theoretical calculations.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating BiVO4 into PVC is an effective strategy for developing sustainable, lead-free polymer nanocomposites.
- These materials exhibit promising radiation shielding properties, making them suitable for radiation shielding applications.
- The developed BiVO4-PVC nanocomposites offer a viable, safer alternative to lead-based shielding materials.
