Fabrication of novel (carboxy methyl cellulose–polyvinylpyrrolidone–polyvinyl alcohol)/lead oxide nanoparticles: structural and optical properties for gamma rays shielding applications

In this paper, synthesis of novel (carboxy methyl cellulose–polyvinylpyrrolidone–polyvinyl alcohol–lead oxide nanoparticles) nanocomposites for gamma shielding applications with low weight, elasticity, low cost and high attenuation coefficients for gamma rays has been examined. The effect of lead oxide nanoparticles on optical properties of (CMC–PVP–PVA) blend has been investigated. The lead oxide nanoparticles were added to the polymer blend (carboxy methyl cellulose 40 wt%, polyvinylpyrrolidone 30 wt% and polyvinyl alcohol 30 wt%) with concentrations of 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt%. The optical properties of (CMC–PVP–PVA–PbO₂) nanocomposites were measured in wavelength range (220–800) nm. The experimental results showed that the absorbance (A), absorption coefficient (α), refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), real and imaginary dielectric constants (ε₁ and ε₂) and optical conductivity (σ_op) of (CMC–PVP–PVA) blend are increasing with increase in the weight percentages of lead oxide nanoparticles. The energy gap (E_g) of (CMC–PVP–PVA) blend is decreased with increase in the lead oxide nanoparticles concentrations. The results of gamma shielding applications showed that the (CMC–PVP–PVA–PbO₂) nanocomposites have high attenuation coefficients for gamma rays.