Abstract
Polycarbonate (PC) loaded with different filler levels equal to 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 2.5, 3.5 and 5.0 wt% (weight percent) of bismuth nitrate pentahydrate (Bi(NO3)3·5H2O or BNP) were prepared by dispersion of filler in PC solution, followed by casting. The values of mass attenuation coefficient (μm), effective atomic number (Zeff), effective electron density (Nel), half value layer (HVL) thickness, tenth value layer (TVL) thickness and photon mean free path (MFP or λ) were determined for specific gamma photon energies ranging from 303 up to 1332 keV, both computationally and experimentally. Considerable variation in the radiation attenuation parameters was observed, which is mainly dependent on the energy of incident gamma ray photon and the concentration of BNP incorporated as filler within the PC matrix. Values of the experimentally determined parameters like μm, Zeff and Nel were compared with the computationally estimated values, and they are found to be in good agreement. The results are discussed, taking into consideration our understanding of the interaction of gamma radiation with matter.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bootjomchai C, Laopaiboon J, Yenchai C, Laopaiboon R (2012) Gamma-ray shielding and structural properties of barium–bismuth–borosilicate glasses. Radiat Phys Chem 81(7):785–790
Kaloshkin SD, Tcherdyntsev VV, Gorshenkov MV, Gulbin VN, Kuznetsov SA (2012) Radiation-protective polymer-matrix nanostructured composites. J Alloys Comp 536(Suppl. 1):S522–S526
Huang W, Yang W, Ma Q, Wu J, Fan J, Zhang K (2016) Preparation and characterization of γ-ray radiation shielding PbWO4/EPDM composite. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 309(3):1097–1103
Kara H, Karabul Y, Kılıç M, İçelli O, Özdemir ZG (2019) Volcanic rock reinforced epoxy composite for gamma ray shielding. Eur J Sci Technol 15:552–560
Mann KS, Rani A, Heer MS (2015) Shielding behaviors of some polymer and plastic materials for gamma-rays. Radiat Phys Chem 106:247–254
Nambiar S, Yeow TW (2012) Polymer-composite materials for radiation protection. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 4(11):5717–5726
Karuppasamy R, Muralikannan R (2019) Thermal degradation and lifetime estimation of polycarbonate–ceria composite for electronic applications. Mater Res Express 6(5):055316
Harish V, Nagaiah N, Harish Kumar HG (2012) Lead oxides filled isophthalic resin polymer composites for gamma radiation shielding applications. Indian J Pure Appl Phys 50(11):847–850
Hashim A, Hadi A (2017) Novel lead oxide polymer nanocomposites for nuclear radiation shielding applications. Ukr J Phys 62(11):978–983
Singh AK, Singh RK, Sharma B, Tyagi AK (2017) Characterization and biocompatibility studies of lead free X-ray shielding polymer composite for healthcare application. Radiat Phys Chem 138:9–15
Soylu HM, Lambrecht FY, Ersöz OA (2015) Gamma radiation shielding efficiency of a new lead-free composite material. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 305(2):529–534
Ambika MR, Nagaiah N, Harish V, Lokanath NK, Sridhar MA, Renukappa NM, Suman SK (2017) Preparation and characterization of isophthalic –Bi2O3 polymer composite gamma radiation shields. Radiat Phys Chem 130:351–358
Abdalsalam AH, Şakar E, Kaky KM, Mhareb MH, Şakar BC, Sayyed MI, Gürol A (2019) Investigation of gamma ray attenuation features of bismuth oxide nano powder reinforced high-density polyethylene matrix composite. Radiat Phys Chem 168:108537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2019.108537
Chen SY, Nambiar S, Li ZH, Osei E, Darko J, Zheng WP, Sun ZD, Liu P, Yeow JTW (2019) Bismuth oxide-based nanocomposite for high-energy electron radiation shielding. J Mater Sci 54(4):3023–3034
Tijani SA, Al-Hadeethi Y (2019) The use of isopthalic-bismuth polymer composites as radiation shielding barriers in nuclear medicine. Mater Res Express 6(5):055323
Hager IZ, Rammah YS, Othman HA, Ibrahim EM, Hassan SF, Sallam FH (2019) Nano-structured natural bentonite clay coated by polyvinyl alcohol polymer for gamma rays attenuation. J Theor Appl Phys 13(2):141–153
Hasham A, Agool IR, Kadhim KJ (2018) Novel of (polymer blend-Fe3O4) magnetic nanocomposites: preparation and characterization for thermal energy storage and release, gamma ray shielding, antibacterial activity and humidity sensors applications. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 29(12):10369–10394
Hashim A, Jassim A (2018) Novel of biodegradable polymers-inorganic nanocomposites: structural, optical and electrical properties as humidity sensors and gamma radiation sensors and gamma radiation shielding for biological applications. J Bionanosci 12(2):170–176
Szajerski P, Zaborski M, Bem H, Baryn W, Kusiak E (2014) Optimization of the heavy metal (Bi–W–Gd–Sb) concentrations in the elastomeric shields for computer tomography (CT). J Radioanal Nucl Chem 300(1):385–391
Kiani MA, Ahmadi SJ, Outokesh M, Adeli R, Kiani H (2019) Study on physico-mechanical and gamma-ray shielding characteristics of new ternary nanocomposites. Appl Radiat Isot 143:141–148
Büyükyıldız M (2017) Investigation of radiological properties of some shielding materials on charged and uncharged radiation interaction for neutron generator. Radiat Eff Defects Solid 172(3–4):216–234
Hazer S, Coban M, Aytac A (2018) A study on carbon fiber renforced poly(lactic acid)/polycarbonate composites. J Appl Polym Sci 135(48):46881
Sayyed MI (2016) Investigation of shielding parameters for smart polymers. Chin J Phys 54(3):408–415
Parlar Z, Abdlhamed A, Akkurt I (2019) Gamma-shielding properties of composite materials made of recycled sport footwear. Int J Environ Sci Technol 16(9):5113–5116
Kaçal MR, Akman F, Sayyad MI, Akman F (2019) Evaluation of gamma-ray and neutron attenuation properties of some polymers. Nucl Eng Technol 51(3):818–824
Li R, Gu Y, Zhang G, Yang Z, Li M, Zhang Z (2017) Radiation shielding property of structural polymer composite: continuous basalt fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite containing erbium oxide. Compos Sci Technol 143:67–74
Samir A, El-Nashar DE, Ashour AH, Medhat M (2019) Polyvinyl chloride/styrene butadiene rubber polymeric blend filled with bismuth subcarbonate (BiO)2CO3 as a shielding material for gamma rays. Polym Compos. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.25385
Higgins MCM, Radcliffe NA, Toro-González M, Rojas JV (2019) Gamma ray attenuation of hafnium dioxide-and tungsten trioxide–epoxy resin composite. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 322(2):707–716
Körpιnar B, Öztürk BC, Çam NF, Akat H (2020) Radiation shielding properties of Poly(hydroxylethyl methacrylate)/Tungsten(VI) oxide composite. Mater Chem Phys 239:121986
More CV, Bhosale RR, Pawar PP (2017) Detection of new polymer materials as gamma-ray-shielding materials. Radiat Eff Defects Solids 172(5–6):469–484
Kim J, Seo D, Lee BC, Seo YS, Miller WH (2014) Nano-W dispersed gamma radiation shielding materials. Adv Eng Mater 16(9):1083–1089
Sangpraserdsuk T, Phiriyawirut M, Ngaotrakanwiwat P, Wootthikanokkhan J (2017) Mechanical, optical, and photo chromic properties of polycarbonate composites reinforced with nano-tungsten trioxide particles. J Reinf Plast Compos 36(16):1168–1182
Yadav R, Naebe M, Wang X, Kandasubramanian B (2017) Structural and thermal stability of polycarbonate decorated fumed silica nanocomposite via thermomechanical analysis and in situ temperature assisted SAXS. Sci Rep 7:7706
Mosely HGJ (1913) The high frequency spectra of the elements. Philos Mag J Sci 26(156):1024–1034
Kucuk N, Cakir M, Isitman NA (2013) Mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic numbers and effective electron densities for some polymers. Radiat Prot Dosim 153(1):127–134
Singh VP, Badiger NM, Kucuk N (2014) Determination of effective atomic number using different methods for some low-Z materials. J Nucl Chem 2014, Article ID 725629
Nayak NG, Vijaya MG, Siddappa K (2001) Effective atomic numbers of some polymers and other materials for photoelectric process at 59.54 keV. Radiat Phys Chem 61(3–6):559–561
Mirji R, Lobo B (2017) Radiation shielding materials: a brief review on methods, scope and significance. In: Proceedings of the national conference on advances in VLSI and microelectronics. 27th January 2017, P.C. Jabin Science College, Hubli, pp 96–100, ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6
Gerward L, Guilbert N, Jensen KB, Levring H (2001) X-ray absorption in matter. Reengineering XCOM. Radiat Phys Chem 60(1–2):23–24
Taylor ML, Smith RL, Dossing F, Franich RD (2012) Robust calculation of effective atomic numbers: the Auto-Zeff software. Med Phys 39(4):1769–1778
Yasmin S, Barua BS, Khandaker MU, Chowdhury FUZ, Rashid MA, Bradley DA, Olatunji MA, Kamal M (2018) Studies of ionizing radiation shielding effectiveness of silica based commercial glasses in Bangladeshi dwellings. Results Phys 9:541–549
Sayyed MI, Issa SAM, Tekin HO, Saddek YB (2018) Comparative study of gamma ray shielding and elastic properties of BaO–Bi2O3–B2O3 and ZnO–Bi2O3–B2O3 glass systems. Mater Chem Phys 217:11–22
Bagheri K, Razavi SM, Ahmadi SJ, Kosari M, Abolghasemi H (2018) Thermal resistance, tensile properties and gamma radiation shielding performance of unsaturated polyester/nanoclay/PbO composite. Radiat Phys Chem 146:5–10
Mirji R, Lobo B (2017) Computation of the mass attenuation coefficient of polymeric materials at specific gamma photon energies. Radiat Phys Chem 135:32–44
Sidhu GS, Singh PS, Mudahar GS (2000) A study of energy and effective atomic dependance of the exposure build-up factors in biological samples. J Radiol Prot 20(1):53–68
Hubbell JH, Seltzer SM (2004) Tables of X-ray mass attenuation coefficients and mass energy-absorption coefficients from 1 keV to 20 MeV for elements with Z = 1 to 92 and 48 additional substances of dosimetric interest. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg
Akkaş A (2016) Determination of the tenth and half value layer thickness of concretes with different densities. Acta Phys Pol Ser A 129(4):770–772
Sayyed MI, Al-Zaatreh MY, Matori KA, Sidek HAA, Zaid MHM (2018) Comprehensive study on estimation of gamma-ray exposure buildup factors for smart polymers as a potent application in nuclear industries. Results Phys 9:585–592
Harish V, Nagaiah N, Niranjan Prabhu T, Varughese KT (2008) Preparation and characterization of lead monoxide filled unsaturated polyester based polymer composites for gamma radiation shielding applications. J Appl Polym Sci 112(3):1503–1508
Mahmoud ME, El-Khatib AM, Badawi MS, Rashed AR, El-Sharkawy RM, Thabet AA (2018) Fabrication, characterization and gamma rays shielding properties of nano and micro lead oxide dispersed- high density polyethylene composites. Radiat Phys Chem 145:160–173
Mirji R, Lobo B (2018) Optical, structural and thermal properties of bismuth nitrate doped polycarbonate composite. AIP Conf Proc 1942(1):070019
Hammannavar PB, Lobo B (2017) Study of lead nitrate doped PVA/PVP blend films using EDXRF and complementary techniques. Macromol Symp 376(1):1600198
Hammannavar PB, Lobo B (2017) Investigation of high Z components doped in polymeric films, using 2 π configuration X-ray fluorescence technique. Macromol Symp 376(1):1600212
Akkurt I, Gunoglu K, Arda SS (2014) Detection efficiency of NaI(Tl) detector in 511–1332 keV energy range. Sci Technol Nucl Ins 2014:186798
Jahagir HA (1991) Studies in total and photo-electric crosssections in various materials. Ph.D. Thesis, Karnatak University, Dharwad. https://sg.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/94631
Chang L, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Fang J, Luan W, Yang X, Zhang W (2015) Preparation and characterization of tungsten/epoxy composites for γ-rays radiation shielding. Nucl Instr Methods Phys Res B 356–357:88–93
Davison CM (1968) Interaction of gamma radiation with matter. In Alpha-, beta- and gamma-ray spectroscopy, volume 1. North Holland Publishing Company, American Elsevier Publishing Company Inc., New York, pp 37–78
Heitler W (1954) The quantum theory of radiation, 3rd edn. Oxford University Press, London
Singh T, Rajni KaurU, Singh PS (2010) Photon absorption parameters for some polymers. Ann Nucl Energy 37(3):422–427
Kaewkhao J, Laopaiboon J, Chewpraditkul W (2008) Determination of effective atomic numbers and effective electron densities for Cu/Zn alloy. J Quant Spectrosc Radiat Transf 10(7):1260–1265
Atef S, El-Nashar DE, Ashour AH, El-Fiki S, El-Kameesy SU, Medhat M (2019) Effect of gamma irradiation and lead content on the physical and shielding properties of PVC/NBR polymer blends. Polym Bull. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-019-03022-4
Vahabi SM, Zafarghandi MS (2019) Investigations of effective attenuation coefficients (EACs) of multi-layered polymers using Monte Carlo method. Phys Scr. https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ab5de3
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge that the gamma ray (NaI(Tl)) scintillation spectrometer and gamma radiation sources available at the postgraduate laboratory of the Department of Physics, Karnatak Science College, Dharwad has been utilized for this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mirji, R., Lobo, B. Study of polycarbonate–bismuth nitrate composite for shielding against gamma radiation. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 324, 7–19 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07038-3
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07038-3