Preparation and structural characterization of PbO and WO3-PVC hybrid nanocomposites for gamma-ray radiation shielding

Abstract

This study has been devoted to investigating the radiation shielding performance of Poly(vinyl chloride)-based nanostructures lead oxide (PbO) and tungsten oxide (WO3) reinforced composites. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images depicted the particle size and morphology of nanostructures such as PbO nanorods and WO3 nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results demonstrated a successful fabrication of a hybrid nanocomposite. The gamma-ray spectroscopy experiments have been carried out using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector and Cs-137, Co- 60, and AM-241 sources and X-ray. The different weight percentages of each by mass were 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt %, of mixed composite (35, 30, 20, 10, 5 wt % WO3 + 5, 10, 20, 30, 35 wt % PbO). The mass attenuation coefficients of the investigated composites were measured as a function of gamma-ray energies and X-rays utilizing standard radioactive sources. Increasing the PbO or WO3 nanostructures' weight percentages in the nanocomposites leads to increased radiation attenuation. Based on the results, the best radiation attenuation, the optimal half-value layer, the tenth value layer, and the mean free path were for PVC/WO3 5% + 35% PbO and PVC/WO3 10% + 30% PbO hybrid nanocomposite for Am-241, Cs-137, Co-60, and X-ray that replaced hybrid nanocomposite PVC/PbO 40%.