Lightweight and Wearable X‐Ray Shielding Material with Biological Structure for Low Secondary Radiation and Metabolic Saving Performance

Abstract

AbstractPreventing X‐rays from reaching the human body is of great significance for the safe implementation of a wide range of related technologies. However, the current materials are commonly accompanied with low mechanical properties and backscatter radiation hazards. In this study, a structural material with high mass attenuation coefficients in a wide energy range (10–100 keV) is developed. The integration of high‐Z elements in hierarchical collagen nanofibers strongly reduces the backscatter radiation, resulting in only 28% of secondary radiation compared with a standard lead plate. The water vapor permeability of the engineered leather is nearly 340 times higher than commonly used synthetic and natural polymers. Compared with the commercial rubber‐based materials, the tensile strength of the engineered leather increased to 27.22 MPa (tenfold increase) and tear strength to 78.5 N mm−1 (threefold increase), respectively. A fully tailored engineered leather suit provides a 24.7% lower metabolic rate of locomotion and 67% reduced body heat compared with commercial lead aprons, which can facilitate better performance and safety during intensive activities in the health care and nuclear industries. This work lays a foundation for the engineering of next‐generation X‐ray shielding materials with potential large impact on the X‐ray application landscape.