Properties of a non-toxic, self-healing X-ray radiation shielding bandage developed using smart gel

Abstract

For the first time, we report a novel process for developing novel, non-toxic, self-healing as well as X-ray radiation shielding, smart material in the form of a bandage, which is capable of performing a dual function. Firstly, it is capable of shielding X-ray radiation and secondly possesses a self-healing matrix which on exposure to X-ray radiation repairs itself. The structural and compositional designing ensures dynamicity of the gel-like polymeric networks as well as effective interdiffusion and interaction of dangling chains on the damaged surface of developed smart shielding material. The nanohydro gel matrix of the developed smart gel has been further used for the impregnation of cotton flannel fabric to form novel, non-toxic, self-healing as well as an X-ray radiation shielding bandage. The developed smart shielding bandage was evaluated for its diagnostic X-ray attenuation as well as self-healing characteristics and found to possess highly effective properties. The developed shielding smart bandage possesses excellent X-ray attenuation properties for the energies of X-ray photons, i.e., 60, 80 and 100 kVp and therefore can be successfully used as radiation shielding material. It is found that the exposure of 100 kVp X-ray radiation for a duration of 40 ms leads to the complete self-healing of the matrix of the developed smart shielding bandage. Also, the developed smart shielding bandages were characterized by using various complementary techniques like TGA, DSC, FESEM and AFM for studying the chemical compatibility of complementary cellulosic species of cotton flannel fiber with hydro gel matrix. The developed smart shielding bandage is highly functional and can be widely oriented as it can be easily used and put on (1) body parts (2) windows (3) doors (4) the lining of instrumental parts, etc. and thus has a broad application spectrum ranging from diagnostic X-ray and CT scanner rooms to other strategic radiation shielding installations.