Lead oxide (PbO) bulk and nanoparticles of two different sizes (A = 78 nm and
B = 54 nm) are incorporated separately into the polystyrene matrix at
various concentrations (0, 10, 15, 25, and 35 %) using roll mill mixing and
compressing molding techniques. The X-ray narrow-spectrum series (N-series
/ ISO 4037-1) is then used to investigate the radiation attenuation
capability of the novel polymer composite PS/PbO, as well as the effect of
varying PbO particle sizes on shielding performance. The filler dispersion
and chemical elemental analysis of the synthesized composite are
investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive
X-ray spectroscopy. To determine the mass attenuation coefficients ?m,
samples with various thicknesses of the synthesized composite are examined
using a range of X-ray energies, and the experimental data are compared to
theoretical values from NIST databases (XCOM and FFAST). The results
indicate that either increasing the filler weight percentage or, decreasing
the filler particle size, enhanced the attenuation parameters throughout all
energies. The composite containing the smallest nanosize of PbO exhibited
the maximum radiation shielding efficacy among all combinations and
therefore, might be used to develop low-cost and lightweight X-ray shields.
Two different sizes of PbO nanoparticles, notably PbO(A) and PbO(B) with sizes of 78 nm and 54 nm, respectively are produced using a high-speed planetary ball milling machine under specific operating parameters. Following, the novel nanocomposite PS/PbO is synthesized using compression molding by embedding 10, 15, 25, and 35 wt% of PbO(Bulk), PbO(A) and PbO(B) into PS separately. The composite is further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). FTIR results confirm the presence of PbO, and indicate a physical adsorption of the nanoparticle onto the PS matrix surface. SEM, EDS and LIBS analyses reveal a more efficient diffusion of PbO in the PS matrix with the decrease of the nanoparticle size. On the other hand, Tensile and Vickers microhardness tests are performed to investigate the composite's mechanical properties. The stiffness is, indeed, enhanced with increasing weight fraction, as well as with decreasing particle size of PbO. Whereas, the strength of the composite is optimized with 15wt% of PbO. Microhardness test reveals an ISE behavior of the composite, and an increase in H v values with PbO loads up to 15 wt%. Accordingly, by adjusting the filler particle size and concentration, the mechanical properties of the composite are evidently enhanced, increasing their use in a variety of applications such as coating, insulation and radiation shield.
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