Dysprosium-enriched polymer nanocomposites: Assessing radiation shielding and optical properties

Abstract

This paper includes a comprehensive analysis of the radiation shielding, optical properties, and structural makeup of polymer composites that contain Dy2O3 additions. XRD-pattern investigates the effect of loading Dy2O3 content on PS, with the average crystallite size of Dy2O3 decreases from 39 nm to 30 nm as Dy2O3 increases from 2.5 to 7.5 wt% in the PS matrix. The optical properties of the nanocomposites showed that with the increase in the Dy2O3 content, the transmittance, as well as the direct and indirect band gap, decreased. The EgIndirect bandgap decreased from 3.1 to 2.75 eV with a Dy2O3 increase from 0 to 7.5 wt%, while the Egdirect Bandgap reduced from 4.6 to 4.35 eV. While the Urbach energy Eu and the refractive index increase, Eu rises from 0.48 to 0.60 e V, and n improves from 1.4 to 1.78 from 0 to 7.5 wt%. In order to conduct an accurate analysis of the gamma-ray attenuation capabilities of the selected new polymer composites, these composites were manufactured with varying proportions of the additive components. With the assistance of a Na(Tl) detector, experimental assessments were carried out on the gamma rays throughout a broad spectrum of photon energies, ranging from 81 keV up to 1416 keV. The sample encased in PS/Dy7.5 demonstrates excellent radiation attenuation, and it is important to note that this novel polymer shielding material does not include any hazardous components.