Gamma shielding ability of Bismuth-Tungsten oxide (Bi[formula omitted]O[formula omitted]W) nanoparticles

Abstract

Exposure to high energy radiations like X/gamma rays and neutrons is of serious concern for radiation professionals as they result in several radiation hazards. Shielding plays a prominent role in reducing the radiation exposure. Attempts are being made by several researchers to explore a novel material which can effectively absorb high energy radiations and find a best substitute for lead which is known to be heavy and toxic. In the present study, authors have attempted to synthesize a novel material and investigate the radiation shielding ability and structural properties of Bi2O6W nanomaterial. Bi2O6W nanomaterial has been synthesized for the first time using green synthesis approach in order to have environmental friendly material. SEM, XRD & FTIR techniques were used to investigate the physical & chemical structure and gamma ray spectrometer to study the gamma shielding ability of the said material. The XRD results reveal single crystal structure of the material. The mass attenuation coefficient was found to decrease with increase in photon energy due to the interaction of photons with the nanomaterial. The mass attenuation coefficient is found to be 0.127 ± 0.017, 0.142 ± 0.02, 0.106 ± 0.015,0.090 ± 0.013, 0.089 ± 0.013 and 0.094 ± 0.014 cm2/g for 0.276, 0.365, 0.511, 0.662, 1.173 and 1.332 MeV gamma rays respectively. The radiation protection efficiency is found to be high in lower energy range when compared to higher energy range of gamma photons. Thus, the newly synthesized nanomaterial can be used for shielding of X/Gamma radiations in the radiation environment thus proving its efficiency in low energy shielding applications like medical field.