Fabrication of ZnO/ Bi2O3/PVA coated glass for X-ray detection and measurement

Abstract

Electrospun ZnO/Bi2O3/PVA-coated glass samples were fabricated using electrospinning method, with varying ZnO molarities (0 M, 5 M, and 7 M) and Bi2O3 weight percentages (wt%) to assess their potential for x-ray detection and measurement. Sample morphology and elemental composition analysis revealed well-distributed nanofiber strands on the glass substrate, with even dispersion of elements within the nanofiber across all samples. The effective atomic number (Zeff) of the sample is consistently enhanced with the addition of Bi2O3 and higher ZnO molarity, where sample with 7 wt% Bi2O3 own a greater Zeff value (41.56–44.12) than sample with 5 wt% Bi2O3 (37.22–40.54). All samples except Sample A0 and B0 exhibited strong absorbance between wavelength range of 360 nm–400 nm. Sample A0 and B0 yielded energy band gaps (Eg) of 2.39 eV and 2.37 eV, respectively, whereby samples with ZnO exhibit energy gaps of Eg = 3.29 eV (Sample A1), Eg = 3.27 eV (Sample A2), Eg = 3.25 eV (Samples B1 and B2). All samples underwent x-ray exposure at various tube voltages (40–60 kVp) to assess their attenuation ability for x-ray detection and measurement. Sample B2 (5 wt% Bi2O3 and 7 M ZnO) exhibited the most favorable linear response, while Sample B1 (5 wt% Bi2O3 and 5 M ZnO) displayed favorable energy dependency. Thus, the electrospun ZnO/Bi2O3/PVA-coated glass with these compositions are proposed as potential dosimetry material due to their favorable linear response and energy dependency characteristics.