Gamma Radiation Technique Research Articles

Physicochemical and antimicrobial characteristics of polypropylene-based nanocomposite containing SiO2-Ag nanoparticles prepared by gamma irradiation

This article evaluates the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties when silver-coated silica (SiO2-Ag) nanoparticles as active nanofiller are incorporated into the polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic matrix. The silica (SiO2) nanoparticles were prepared by precipitation method using sodium silicate. After that, silver-coated silica (SiO2-Ag) nanoparticles were synthesized by gamma radiation technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis clarified the formation of SiO2-Ag nanoparticles. SiO2-Ag nanoparticles has a particle size with an average of 70 nm. The melt mixing procedure operated to fabricate PP thermoplastic nanocomposites with various ratios of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 part per hundred resin (phr) of the SiO2-Ag nanoparticles. To examine the effect of ionizing radiation on the prepared PP/SiO2-Ag nanocomposites, the samples were exposed to 20 kGy of gamma-irradiation. FTIR, XRD, mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were utilized to characterize the physico-chemical alterations of the PP when loaded with SiO2-Ag nanoparticles. It is found that PP/1.0 phr SiO2-Ag nanocomposite revealed superior physico-chemical characteristics than the other two components. The irradiated specimens revealed superior tensile strength (TS) and elastic modulus (EM) over unirradiated ones, whereas inverse effects were predominant in case elongation at break (E%). Tmax of the native PP increased from 335°C to nearly 370°C of PP/1.0 phr SiO2-Ag nanocomposite. It is established that the fabricated PP/SiO2-Ag nanocomposites exhibited potent antimicrobial activity and can be a good candidate for food packaging applications.

Effect of gamma irradiated super water absorbent from sago waste on vegetables

Super water absorbent (SWA) has the ability to absorb water hundreds of times bigger than its own weight and potentially can be used as a water retainer in agriculture. Other than holding water, SWA can release water to the soil, which is required by the plants. In this study, SWA from sago waste has been successfully prepared using the gamma radiation technique and the properties of SWA such as FTIR, gel fraction and swelling have been carried out. Performance of SWA from sago waste as a water retainer has been carried out with mustard and Chinese kale with three different compositions (0.1, 0.3 and 0.5%) of SWA mixed with the soils. The effects of SWA on the plants such as height of plants and weight of plants have been determined. Generally, the height and weight of the plants were at the highest at 0.1% of SWA content in the soil.

Enhanced radiation shielding performance of epoxy resin composites with Sb2O3 and Al2O3 additives

We prepared epoxy resin composites containing Sb2O3 and Al2O3 for radiation shielding applications, such as in the fields of nuclear medicine and medical radiation for both occupational and public radiation protection. The linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) was measured by a collimated gamma radiation technique with the use of a NaI(Tl) scintillation crystal detector. The density of the prepared SbAl composites is determined to be between 1.31 and 1.48 g/cm3, which is higher than that of pure epoxy. We reported the impact of Al2O3 on the radiation shielding performance of the prepared composites. At 0.059 MeV, we found that the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) increases from 1.45 to 1.64 cm−1 when the Al2O3 changes from 5 to 20 w.t.%. We found that at 0.059 MeV, the Al2O3 has a notable impact on the LAC and on the other parameters such as the half value layer. At 0.662 MeV, we found that the Al2O3 has a small influence on the LAC and HVL, where the LAC increases only from 0.0978 to 0.1071 cm−1. Moreover, the HVL at 0.662 MeV is in the range of 6.47–7.08 cm. From the HVL results, we found that epoxy resin composites that are thinner than 6 cm and include 15% Sb2O3 and various quantities of Al2O3 (up to 20%) are not appropriate for use in applications that demand for attenuating radiation with an energy lower than 0.662 MeV. The study's findings could be useful in optimizing shielding materials used to help protect personnel and patients in facilities using medical radiation sources, such as nuclear medicine.

Simulation and Synthesis of Cobalt (Co) Nanoparticles by Gamma Radiation Technique.

Cobalt nanoparticles were synthesized using the gamma radiolytic technique, and the particle size was found to be reduced from 12±1 to 7±1 nm by increasing the dose from 10 to 60 kGy. The UV-visible absorption spectra were measured and exhibited a steady absorption maxima at 517 nm in the UV region, which blue-shifted toward a lower wavelength with a decrease in particle size. By taking the conduction electrons of an isolated particle that are not entirely free but are instead bound to their respective quantum levels, the optical absorption of the cobalt nanoparticles can be calculated and simulated via intra-band quantum excitation for particle sizes comparable to the measured ones. We found that the simulated absorption maxima of electronic excitations corresponded to the measured absorption maxima. Moreover, the structural characterizations were performed utilizing dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Gamma Radiation-Induced Advanced 2,3-Dimethylacrylic Acid-(2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic Acid) Superabsorbent Hydrogel: Synthesis and Characterization

Gamma radiation technique for the preparation of pure hydrogels is gaining popularity worldwide. Superabsorbent hydrogels play vital roles in different fields of application. The present work mainly focuses on the preparation and characterization of 2,3-Dimethylacrylic acid-(2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid) (DMAA-AMPSA) superabsorbent hydrogel by applying gamma radiation and optimization of the proper dose. To prepare DMAA-AMPSA hydrogel, different doses ranging from 2 kGy to 30 kGy were imparted on the blend aqueous solution of the monomers. The equilibrium swelling increases with increasing radiation dose, followed by decreasing after reaching a certain level, and the highest result is found to be 26,324.9% at 10 kGy. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the formation of co-polymer by showing the characteristic functional groups and proton environment of the gel. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern indicates the crystalline/amorphous nature of the gel. The Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA) revealed the thermal stability of the gel. The surface morphology and constitutional elements were analyzed and confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Finally, it can be stated that hydrogels can be usable in metal adsorption, drug delivery, and other relevant fields.

Radiation synthesis and modification of biopolymers and polymeric composites for biomedical applications

Recently the replacing of the petrochemical origin polymers with biopolymers and biocomposites which are environmental biodegradable polymers became a growing interest. The use of gamma radiation for synthesis and produce further modification of the biopolymers and biocomposites found to be suitable for biomedical application due to none using of toxic additives. Moreover, the radiation technique is the combining of preparation and sterilization in a one technological step thus, reducing time of the production and lower the costs. The use of gamma radiation technique in biomedical application is growing rapidly in controlled drug delivery, injectable materials, wound dressing, tissue engineering, immobilized enzymes and biosensors.

Synthesis and Characterization of Gamma Radiation Induced Diallyldimethylammonium Chloride-Acrylic Acid-(3-Acrylamidopropyl) Trimethylammonium Chloride Superabsorbent Hydrogel.

The gamma radiation technique is simple and time-saving for the synthesis of pure hydrogels. The present work focuses on synthesizing and characterizing Diallyldimethylammonium Chloride-Acrylic acid-(3-Acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium Chloride (DADMAC-AAc-APTAC) superabsorbent hydrogels. The hydrogels were synthesized by applying gamma radiation of different doses (2 kGy to 30 kGy) to two different compositions of monomers. The equilibrium swelling was found to be 33483.48% of dried gel for a 1:0.5:1 composition ratio of monomers at a 2 kGy radiation dose. Therefore, on the basis of equilibrium swelling, 2 kGy is the optimum radiation dose for synthesizing the hydrogel. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization techniques were used to analyze and confirm the structure of the hydrogel. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) clearly showed the thermal stability and surface morphology of the gel. Therefore, it can be concluded that hydrogels can be used in metal adsorption, drug delivery, and other fields of study.

Application of Artificial Intelligence and Gamma Attenuation Techniques for Predicting Gas–Oil–Water Volume Fraction in Annular Regime of Three-Phase Flow Independent of Oil Pipeline’s Scale Layer

To the best knowledge of the authors, in former studies in the field of measuring volume fraction of gas, oil, and water components in a three-phase flow using gamma radiation technique, the existence of a scale layer has not been considered. The formed scale layer usually has a higher density in comparison to the fluid flow inside the oil pipeline, which can lead to high photon attenuation and, consequently, reduce the measuring precision of three-phase flow meter. The purpose of this study is to present an intelligent gamma radiation-based, nondestructive technique with the ability to measure volume fraction of gas, oil, and water components in the annular regime of a three-phase flow independent of the scale layer. Since, in this problem, there are several unknown parameters, such as gas, oil, and water components with different amounts and densities and scale layers with different thicknesses, it is not possible to measure the volume fraction using a conventional gamma radiation system. In this study, a system including a 241Am-133Ba dual energy source and two transmission detectors was used. The first detector was located diametrically in front of the source. For the second detector, at first, a sensitivity investigation was conducted in order to find the optimum position. The four extracted signals in both detectors (counts under photo peaks of both detectors) were used as inputs of neural network, and volume fractions of gas and oil components were utilized as the outputs. Using the proposed intelligent technique, volume fraction of each component was predicted independent of the barium sulfate scale layer, with a maximum MAE error of 3.66%.

Spheroid Nickel Nanoparticles Synthesized in CTAB Solution Using Gamma Radiation

Pure nickel nanoparticles with some paired grain shaped has been successfully synthesized using gamma radiation technique in aqueous system at ambient temperature without using reducing agent. Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide was used to prevent oxidation during radiolysis process and help to shape the nickel nanoparticles into spheroid. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, tunnelling electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The particles formed are crystallized with fcc phase without any oxidation state. The particle size ranging from 20 – 50 nm which consists of unique morphology of paired spheroid. Vibrating sample magnetometer analysis shows that sample has ferromagnetic properties with value of magnetic remanence smaller that bulk due to its size.

Synthesis and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) based hydrogel by applying gamma radiation

A simple Gamma radiation (Cobalt-60 γ-ray source) technique was employed for the preparation of hydrogel based on Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (PW hydrogel) without using any external cross-linker. The structure of the synthesized hydrogels was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflection Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The effects of different radiation doses, the concentration of water-hyacinth on the properties of the prepared hydrogel, such as gel fraction, swelling ratio, water uptake, and mechanical properties including the tensile strength (TS), percentage elongation at break (EB) and biodegradability were investigated. The hydrogels showed a porous and interconnected network and flexible structure. The presence of water-hyacinth significantly escalated the swelling capacity of PVA hydrogels from 97.9% to 136.24% along with acceptable tensile strength. And the degradation percentage of PW hydrogel was remarkably higher than the pure PVA hydrogel. Furthermore, the weight loss of PW hydrogel was 12.86%, whereas 3.19% was for pure PVA hydrogel. Hence, this novel hydrogel showed some favorable potentials to be applied in various fields, especially, adsorption to remove the dye and heavy metals.

Radiation synthesis for a highly sensitive colorimetric hydrogel sensor-based p(AAc/AMPS)-TA for metal ion detection

The copolymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid AMPS with acrylic acid AAc using gamma radiation technique was performed in different co-monomer concentration. The effect of AMPS concentrations on the gel fraction (%) and swelling behavior were investigated. It is found that as AMPS concentrations increases both gel fraction (%) and swelling degree of p (AAc/AMPS) hydrogel samples increase. The p (AAc/AMPS) (1:2 ​wt%) hydrogel were selected to be loaded with tannic acid (TA) to give p (AAc/AMPS)-TA that are used as colometric sensor due to its high swelling properties (320 ​g/g). The colorimetric detection of 10 of (Mg2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Cr6+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Fe3+ and Sr2+) metal ions is run in water solution. The colometric sensor of p (AAc/AMPS)-TA hydrogel has been doped with 10 analyst with concentration range between 103−M and 5 ​× ​104−M for 60 ​min. The final deprotonated M+n-p (AAc/AMPS)-TA intermediate has shown a clear change in the color. The change in the color of M+n-p (AAc/AMPS)-TA is due to electron transition in the electronic properties of complex induced by Internal Charge Transfer (ICT) mechanism. The change in naked color eye and optical property where an obvious change in the vis-spectrum has been investigated. The obtained result showed a good selectivity of p (AAc/AMPS)-TA toward Cr6+ 10 fold than Hg2+. Therefore, the p (AAc/AMPS)-TA hydrogel could be proposed as a colometric sensor of determining the hazardous metal in solution.

Determine the Gamma Radiation Technique to Sterilization of Insects from Risk Factor

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environment-friendly blighter management technique with application within the area-wide integrated management of key pests, together with the suppression or elimination of introduced populations and therefore the exclusion of recent introductions. Procreative sterility is often evoked by radiation, a convenient and consistent technique that maintains an inexpensive degree of aggressiveness within the discharged insects. The price and effectiveness of an effective program integration of the SIT rely on the balance between sterility and aggressiveness, but it seems that current operational programs with an associate SIT element aren't achieving an associated, applicable balance. In this paper, we will discuss how to improve the sterilization method as well as a simple model and procedure for determining the optimum dose. The work in the gift was focused on an association analysis of the electromagnetic wave technique for insect sterilization as a risk issue. Discharge of enormous numbers of gamma-radiated male flies over the complete island caused concern regarding sterilization as an attainable technique for the dominant insects' public health. Several studies on the sterilization of varied insect vectors of sickness have been conducted since then. The study's goal was to check if electromagnetic waves were an efficient insect management mechanism. Insect sterilization is commonly used to create safe environments for fruit homes, manage blighters, and avoid livestock health issues. The sterilization insect technique entails mass-rearing of the target species, sterilization of the male, and unharnessing in sufficient numbers to equal wild male flies in the natural environment. It's species-specific, with no results for any of the 'non-target' species.

Radiation-induced synthesis, electrical and optical characterization of conducting polyaniline of PANI/ PVA composites

This study employs the gamma radiation technique to produce conducting polyaniline from an aqueous solution. The solution comprises four materials: ANI, PVA, CaCl2 and distilled H2O, which serve as a binder or film support, precursor, Cl ions provider, and a solvent. To obtain the conducting polyaniline (PANI/PVA) composite, a film of ANI/ PVA/ CaCl2 was subjected to gamma radiation under ambient conditions. Conducting polyaniline composite was seen to form once the colour began to change from white to green in accordance with the doses of radiation. The results demonstrated that the level of gamma radiation increased to 30 KGy, thereby confirming that the electrical insulation ANI/ PVA/ CaCl2 film was converted into electrically conductive polyaniline composite film. In addition, the measurements of UV–Visible spectrophotometer revealed an absorption band of 795 nm rises alongside the radiation dose which produced PANI/PVA with a green hue that increases in intensity in accordance with rises in the doses of radiation.

Effect of bulk density, age, and water content on the erosional strength of streambank soils

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of physical properties, more specifically the bulk density and water content, to the erosional strength of streambank soils. Thirty (30) soil samples were extracted from the crest, midbank and toe of the bank at Clear Creek in Iowa City, Iowa. Out of those thirty (30) samples, six (6) samples were tested in the standard soil laboratory for obtaining their bulk density and particle size distribution, six (6) samples were tested their bulk density and heterogeneity using Gamma radiation scanning, and eighteen (18) samples were tested their erosional strengthr*f. In addition, six (6) pure Kaolinite-clay samples were constructed with various degrees of consolidation or age and water content for measuring their T>-:f using conduit flume technique. The results of the conduit flume tests revealed an increasing trend in magnitude of Hf moving from the crest to the toe of the bank. The T<--t values were 1.57, 1.53, and 1.92 Pa for the crest, midbank, and toe soils from the left bank. In similar order, the Tc.f values were 1.46, 1.47, and 1.83 Pa for the soils from the right bank. A similar trend was obtained for the bulk density based on standard laboratory test and gamma radiation scanning. According to standard laboratory test, the average bulk density values for the crest, midbank, and toe of the right bank were 1299, 1618, and 1880 kg/m3. Similarly, based on gamma radiation technique, the average bulk density values for the crest, midbank, and toe of the right bank soils were 1273 kg/m3, 1594 kg/m3 and 1863 kg/m3, respectively. This agreement in the trend of Tr-f and bulk density suggests a positive correlation between those to parameters. The results of Kaolinite-clay sample experiments demonstrated that samples with higher degree of consolidation or more age would have higher ^V. In addition, the Kaolinite-clay samples with higher water content would have lower rct. These findings suggest the presence of spatial and temporal variability in Ta of streambank soils. Therefore, incorporating this Tc,i variability in modelling streambank erosion will give more accurate results.

Synthesis and Characterization of Conducting Polyaniline Based on ANI-PVA-MgCl2Composites Using Gamma Radiation Technique

Conducting polymer composites such as conducting polyaniline composites have numerous attractive physical properties which could be used in several vital applications. In order to give composite materials unique physical and chemical properties that can have broad application potential in various areas, it requires appropriate adding of metal chloride through conductive polymer composites. This study employs the gamma radiation technique to produce conducting polyaniline from an aqueous solution. The solution comprises four materials, including: ANI, PVA, MgCl2 and distilled H2O, which serve as a binder or film support, precursor, Cl ions provider, and a solvent. To attain the conducting polyaniline composite, a film of ANI-PVA-MgCl2 was subjected to gamma radiation under ambient conditions. Conducting polyaniline composite has been formed once the colour began to change from white to green following the doses of radiation. The results have demonstrated that the level of gamma radiation increased to 40 KGy, thereby confirming that the electrical insulation ANI-PVA-MgCl2 film was converted into an electrically conductive polyaniline composite film. The production of conducting polyaniline composite has been observed since the colour has been changed from white to green colour alongside radiation doses.

Gamma Irradiated Synthesis of Polyethylene Oxide (PEO)-N, N-Dimethyacrylamide (DMA) Hydrogel and Chitosan

Hydrogel which can swell rapidly and retain large volumes of water in their swollen structure have shown a significant contribution for wound healing. More recently, hydrogel synthesized by radiation polymerization and grafting have been reported which did not require any crosslinking agent. In this study, Crosslinked Poly ethylene oxide (PEO) / N, N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) hydrogel containing chitosan for wound dressing has been prepared by gamma radiation technique. Chitosan solutions with different concentration (0.5-1.5%,10%) have been blended with 5% aqueous solution of Poly ethylene oxide, N, N-dimethylacrylamide and irradiated at the doses 5-20 kGy by gamma rays. The copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and their physical chemical properties of hydrogels were evaluated in terms of gel fraction, swelling ratio, elongation at break and mechanical properties (tensile Strength). It was found that under maximum condition of incorporation 1% chitosan with irradiation dose of 10 kGy, Poly ethylene oxide - N, N-dimethylacrylamide -chitosan hydrogels with high gel fraction (80%), swelling ratio (4152%) and elongation at break (110%) were obtained.

Acid Dyes Removal from Aqueous Solutions Utilizing Amidoximated Jute Fibers under the Effect of Gamma Irradiation

Jute fibers were graft copolymerized with acrylonitrile using gamma radiation technique. The nitrile groups attached to the grafted fibers were converted into amidoxime groups through amidoximation process for using as an adsorbent for the acid dyes from the textile wastewater. The graft yield as a function of the irradiation dose was investigated. The amidoximated Jute fibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal stability of modified Jute fibers was also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The kinetic parameters of the adsorption process and the effective conditions on the adsorption capacity such as the pH and contact time were also investigated. The grafting of the Jute fibers with ACN and the amidoximation process of the nitrile groups were confirmed by using of FTIR. The results indicated that, the dye adsorption was enhanced at low pH of 4 and obeyed the pseudo second order kinetic model.

Synthesis and characterization of radiation cross-linked PVP hydrogels and investigation of its potential as an antileishmanial drug carrier

The aim of this study was to elaborate a suitable hydrogel to be used as drug carrier for antileishmanial treatment. Therefore, a PVP hydrogel was synthesized using gamma radiation technique. In the first step, PVP, agar and PEG concentrations were modified as a function of dose rate. Then, established polymers were characterized using FTIR, solid-state 13C NMR and TGA analyses. After that, rheological measurements followed to determine elastic and viscous modulus. Based on these techniques, it was found that synthesized PVP–hydrogels have the structure of a semi-interpenetrated network (SIPN). The sample containing 3% of PEG was selected to test its potential as antileishmanial drug carrier because it had the elastic modulus that fits more the application as wound dressing. As antileishmanial drug carrier, it has been shown that in the presence of hydrogel, the activity of conventional drug (Amphotericin B) on Leishmania promastigotes was markedly improved with an increase in selectivity index from 10.54 to 56.8.

Heartwood and sapwood in eucalyptus trees: non-conventional approach to wood quality.

This study evaluated the quality of heartwood and sapwood from mature trees of three species of Eucalyptus, by means of the qualification of their proportion, determination of basic and apparent density using non-destructive attenuation of gamma radiation technique and calculation of the density uniformity index. Six trees of each species (Eucalyptus grandis - 18 years old, Eucalyptus tereticornis - 35 years old and Corymbia citriodora - 28 years old) were used in the experimental program. The heartwood and sapwood were delimited by macroscopic analysis and the calculation of areas and percentage of heartwood and sapwood were performed using digital image. The uniformity index was calculated following methodology which numerically quantifies the dispersion of punctual density values of the wood around the mean density along the radius. The percentage of the heartwood was higher than the sapwood in all species studied. The density results showed no statistical difference between heartwood and sapwood. Differently from the density results, in all species studied there was statistical differences between uniformity indexes for heartwood and sapwood regions, making justifiable the inclusion of the density uniformity index as a quality parameter for Eucalyptus wood.

Evaluation of potential site for mineral processing plant

Nuclear moisture-density gauge is a type of instrument for measuring density and moisture of the material in a relatively thin zone beneath a surface of the material by using low activity of neutron and gamma radiation source. Density and moisture content data of the compacted layers are needed to determine the degree of compaction of soils, aggregate, concrete, asphalt or other materials used in civil engineering works. A gamma radiation source is mounted inside gauge housing with the source rod vertically extended to various depth positions. Direct transmission gamma radiation technique is used to obtain the count reading for the number of photons emitted before it is converted into density reading by microprocessor. This paper presents the inspection technique and results for the measurement of soil moisture and density carried out at potential site for mineral processing plant, Malaysian Nuclear Agency. Primarily, the experiment was conducted to ensure the compaction of ground is suitable for the plant construction. From the calculation, the percentages of soil wet density compaction (%WD Compact) are within acceptable limits with respect to the standard compacted wet soil density measured in the laboratory.