Stibnite Nanoparticles as a New Stabilizer for Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Exposed to Gamma Irradiation

Abstract

Poly (methyl methacrylate), PMMA, may be used in manufacturing of devices, which are exposed to gamma irradiation. However, the polymer undergoes significant changes in its properties during process and the use of additives is a common form to stabilize the PMMA matrix. In this way, stibnite was synthesized by sonochemical method and the amorphous powder constituted of nanospheres was obtained and investigated as additive. Commercial PMMA containing stibnite nanoparticles (ST-NP) was investigated and the samples were irradiated with gamma radiation ( 60 Co). Our results showed that the addition of ST-NP at 0.3 wt% into the PMMA decreased the number of main chain scissions caused by the irradiation process, resulting in radiolytic stabilization of the polymer matrix. Analyses of mechanical properties showed influence of the ST-NP in the physical behavior of PMMA. Our findings suggest that stibnite nanoparticles are an effective additive for PMMA used in application of radiation resistance.

ZnS Nanocrystals as an Additive for Gamma-Irradiated Poly (Vinyl Chloride)

“…In addition, a decrease in ZnS stabilizing action occurred when its concentration reached 1.00 %wt. This is a rather common effect in polymer-additives systems as optimum additive concentration is overreached 13,14 .…”

“…These extreme transient conditions allow synthesis on the benchtop, at room-temperature conditions, in media that would otherwise require high temperatures, high pressures, or long reaction times 11,12 . Zinc sulfide sonochemical synthesis is a suitable preparation method, which allows fast and simple obtention of morphologically pure products [13][14][15][16][17][18] , circumventing tedious and laborious methods already described in the literature 19,20 . PVC has applications that range from rigid pipes to electron-beam or gamma irradiation sterilizable medical devices..…”