Abstract
In this work, gamma-ray shielding features of crosslinked polystyrene-b-polyethyleneglycol block copolymers (PS-b-PEG) blended with nanostructured selenium dioxide (SeO2) and boron nitride (BN) particles were studied. This research details several radiation shielding factors i.e., mass attenuation coefficient (), linear attenuation coefficient (), radiation protection efficiency (RPE), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), and mean free path (MFP). The irradiation properties of our nanocomposites were investigated with rays from the 152Eu source (in the energy intervals from 121.780 keV to 1408.010 keV) in a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector system, and analyzed with GammaVision software. Moreover, all radiation shielding factors were determined by theoretical calculus and compared with the experimental results. In addition, the morphological and thermal characterization of all nanocomposites was surveyed with various techniques i.e., nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Acceptable compatibility was revealed and observed in all nanocomposites between the experimental and theoretical results. The PS-b-PEG copolymer and nanostructured SeO2 and BN particles exerted a significant effect in enhancing the resistance of the nanocomposites, and the samples with high additive rates exhibited better resistance than the other nanocomposites. From the achieved outcomes, it can be deduced that our polymer-based nanocomposites can be utilized as a good choice in the gamma-irradiation-shielding discipline.
Highlights
In many areas of life, we are exposed to radiation—both naturally, and as a result of the facilities provided by technological innovations
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) Outcomes of the PS-b-PEG Copolymers Blended with the Nanostructured SeO2 and boron nitride (BN) Particles In Figure 6a–f, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves of the PS-b-PEG copolymers blended with the nanostructured SeO2 and BN particles are exhibited in detail, and wt% loss rates in some of our nanocomposites at miscellaneous temperatures are presented in Table S1
The PS-b-PEG copolymers blended with the nanostructured SeO2 and BN particles’ nanocomposite matrix resulted in a good improvement in the possibilities of reciprocal influence between the arriving gamma rays and the shielding nanocomposite atoms
Summary
In many areas of life, we are exposed to radiation—both naturally, and as a result of the facilities provided by technological innovations. Human bodies and systems can be influenced by radiation in ways that we are not aware of. While these influences produce observable results in some cases, radiation occasionally penetrates our bodies without our awareness. Radio waves that enable radio and television communication, X-rays used in medicine and industry, cosmic rays, etc., are the types of radiation we are accustomed to in daily. With the advancement of technology and industrialization bringing the utilization of radioactive sources in various fields of study, the harmful effects of radiation have gradually increased. Nuclear technology has applications in fields such as medicine, scientific research, agriculture, industry, and archaeometry—and especially in the energy sector. Waste control, initial investment cost, and radiation safety are among its most prominent disadvantages
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