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Gamma ray interaction studies on light-weight, eco-friendly PVA-based composites using construction waste materials
Ashwitha Chikkegowda1, Adarsh Raj Lingaraj1, Vaishnavi Narayan1
1Department of Studies in Physics, University of Mysore, Mysuru, 570006, India.
Summary
Researchers explored eco-friendly polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites with granite, glass, and red mud as sustainable radiation shielding alternatives. PVA-granite showed superior gamma-ray attenuation properties, making it a promising lightweight option.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Radiation Physics
- Sustainable Engineering
Background:
- Conventional lead-based radiation shielding poses environmental and health risks.
- There is a critical need for sustainable and non-toxic alternatives for radiation protection.
- Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites offer potential as flexible and lightweight shielding materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gamma-ray shielding capabilities of PVA composites reinforced with recycled eco-friendly fillers (granite, glass, red mud).
- To evaluate shielding parameters such as linear and mass attenuation coefficients, half-value layer, tenth-value layer, mean free path, and effective atomic number.
- To identify a viable eco-friendly alternative to conventional lead shielding.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of PVA composites with varying concentrations (10-40 wt%) of granite, glass, and red mud fillers.
- Experimental measurement of gamma-ray shielding parameters using gamma energies from 511 to 1332 keV.
- Comparison of experimental results with theoretical values obtained from XCOM and AutoZeff software.
Main Results:
- Increasing filler concentration in PVA composites enhanced linear (μ) and mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) and effective atomic number (Zeff).
- Conversely, higher filler concentrations reduced the Half Value Layer (HVL), Tenth Value Layer (TVL), and Mean Free Path (λ).
- PVA-granite composites demonstrated superior shielding performance, with the highest μ, μ/ρ, and Zeff, and lowest HVL, TVL, and λ at 40 wt% filler concentration.
Conclusions:
- PVA composites reinforced with recycled granite, glass, and red mud are effective gamma-ray shielding materials.
- PVA-granite exhibits the most promising shielding characteristics among the studied composites.
- These eco-friendly PVA composites represent a viable, lightweight, and flexible alternative for radiation shielding applications in medical, nuclear, and aerospace fields.
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