Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025

Chemical Synthesis of Porous Barium Titanate Thin Film and Thermal Stabilization of Ferroelectric Phase by Porosity-Induced Strain
Published on: March 27, 2018
Enhanced Hydrophobicity, Thermal Stability, and X-Ray Shielding Efficiency of BaSO4/P(VDF-HFP) Nanocomposites for
Chaiporn Kaew-On1, Jureeporn Yuennan1, Nikruesong Tohluebaji2
1Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80280, Thailand.
Abstract:
In this research, polymer composite sheets were developed by blending poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) or P(VDF-HFP) with varying concentrations of barium sulfate (BaSO4) for X-ray shielding applications. The photon counting technique was used to evaluate the composite shielding characteristics through the linear attenuation coefficient. Surface properties, including surface morphology, hydrophobicity, and surface energy, were analyzed using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a water contact angle machine. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to investigate the microstructural distribution and dispersion of BaSO4 particles within the polymer matrix, providing insights into the composite's uniformity and structural integrity. Additionally, the bulk properties of the composite polymer sheets, such as crystal structures, tensile strength, and thermal stability, were examined. The results demonstrate that increasing the concentration of BaSO4 in BaSO4/P(VDF-HFP) composite sheets significantly improves their X-ray attenuation capabilities. Moreover, higher BaSO4 concentrations enhance the material's hydrophobicity, flexibility, and thermal stability, highlighting the potential of these composites for advanced radiation shielding applications.
Related Concept Videos
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...

