Effect of PbO-nanoparticles on dimethyl polysiloxane for use in radiation shielding applications

Sci Rep. 2022 Sep 20;12(1):15722. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-20103-z.

Abstract

In this work, morphological and attenuation parameters of gamma ray protection were studied. Dimethyl polysiloxane (Silicon Rubber) Mixed with micro-size and nano-size lead oxide particles at different weight percentage were prepared. The morphological structure of PbO/SR composites was investigated by SEM test, according to SEM images the nano PbO particles are more uniform micro PbO particles. The radiation attenuation test was carried out using 3" × 3" NaI (TI) detector for (Am-241), (Cs-137), (Co-60), (Ba-133), and (Eu-152). The effect on attenuation property of SR-PbO shown that the increase of PbO filler significantly increases the linear attenuation coefficient and improve the other radiation protection parameters especially at low gamma energy. It's found that a significant agreement between the experimental result and theoretical result from Xcom program. In this study it's found matrix filled with nano-PbO have higher gamma shielding ability compared to micro-PbO matrix at the same filler concentration. It can say that SR-nano PbO has a higher radiation protection than SR-micro PbO compositions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Radiation Protection* / methods
  • Rubber
  • Silicon

Substances

  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Cesium-137
  • Rubber
  • dimethicone
  • Silicon