Exploration of physical and optical properties of ZnO nanopowders filled with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for radiation shielding applications. Simulation and theoretical study

Abstract

Today, with the development of technology, different kinds of materials are being tested to increase the quality, efficiency and reliability of the materials used in the fields of space and aviation, computers, energy and health. In this direction, materials scientists and researchers from different disciplines make multidimensional analyzes and reveal the use of basic building materials in the technological field through both prototypes and simulation methods. In this way, it will be possible to use materials that can give better results than the materials currently used. In this study, polydimethylsiloxane C2H6OSi (PDMS) was prepared using zinc oxide nano powder additions according to the PDMS(ZnO) x formula, where (x=0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 mol %). UV–VIS spectroscopy was performed on the examined PDMS-PDMS(ZnO)15 samples to estimate their optical properties. Transmission spectra demonstrate that the λcutoff wavelength and color of the PDMS-PDMS(ZnO)15 polymer samples both changed to a longer wavelength when ZnO concentration increased (stronger White). Additionally, FTIR analysis of samples were performed. Due to the physical blending of the nanoparticles with the polymeric matrix, the FTIR Spectra of the PDMS with ZnO nanoparticle samples demonstrate that no new peaks were discovered. The mass attenuation coefficient μm of the prepared samples was calculated using the MCNP N-Particle Monte Carlo code and WinXCOM. It was discovered that the theoretical and simulation results were quite close. The addition of ZnO nanoparticles to the PDMS (ZnO) samples increased μm values. The PDMS(ZnO)15 polymer sample showed the lowest HVL, MFP, and TVL values of all the polymer samples due to its high ZnO content. It was included that the PDMS(ZnO)15 is an effective promising material that could be used against gamma-radiation.