Bismuth (III) oxide/polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposite fiber coated polyester spunbonds for ionizing radiation protection

Abstract

Conventional radiation-shielding aprons are uncomfortable and heavy for medical staff working at radio diagnostic areas. By virtue of manufacturing functional textile surfaces with high-radiation protection efficiency, these disadvantages of shielding garments can be eliminated. The aim of this study is production of a lightweight and comfortable textile-based shielding surface against ionizing radiation. In this paper, bismuth (III) oxide (Bi2O3) powder and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer were used for coating polyester (PES) spunbond by electrospinning technology. Morphological properties were examined with SEM, EDX and FT-IR tests and thickness of samples were measured. X-ray characteristics of coated PES spunbonds were investigated by commercial computed tomography unit and electrometer. According to values read by electrometer, linear attenuation coefficient, thickness for half value layer (HVL) and tenth-value layer (TVL) and shielding performance of different amount of Bi2O3 loaded samples were calculated with corresponding formulas. Results showed that ionizing radiation shielding performance of Bi2O3/PET nanocomposite fiber-coated PES spunbonds were better than that of undoped PET nanofibers coated ones. X-ray attenuation increased with increase of Bi2O3 loading. Bi2O3/PET nanocomposite fiber-coated PES spunbonds with their multilayered forms are alternative promising surfaces for production of wearable shielding garments.