Bismuth oxide-coated fabrics for X-ray shielding

Abstract

Lead aprons are widely used in medical imaging to protect radiographers and patients from harmful radiation. However, lead is not a desirable material for use in wearable radiation protection due to its heavy weight, inflexibility, poor durability, and toxicity. In this study, we explored the suitability of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) coating for textiles as an alternative to lead. The intention was to demonstrate the concept and technology that will achieve a lead-equivalent lightweight X-ray protective textile material with improved wearability. The primary objective was to evaluate the X-ray shielding efficiency of two textile materials coated with Bi2O3. To do so, X-ray exposures were made at the system setting of 80 kVp, 12 mAs, and 80 SID (the distance from the X-ray beam source to the specimen). It is evident from this study that Bi2O3 in a suitable resin matrix can be coated on fabrics and is an effective method to produce flexible, wearable, and lead-free aprons. Coated polyester fabrics with over 50% Bi2O3 showed enhanced shielding ability for transmitted X-rays. This research has shown that microparticle size Bi2O3 can be effective for X-ray attenuation.

Multilayer Structuring of Nonleaded Metal (BiSn)/Polymer/Tungsten Composites for Enhanced γ‐Ray Shielding

“…The single layer affords full flexibility needed for gear or garment fabrication. [33][34][35] However, γ-rays can pass through the space between the W flakes (Figure 6a). Of course, the BiSn/polymer composite layer will partially attenuate the passing γ-rays; however, at this thickness, the layer will not attenuate the γ-rays, to a safe level.…”

Modern Approaches to Polymer Materials Protecting from Ionizing Radiation

“…It was demonstrated 74 that bismuth oxide (Bi 2 O 3 ), which belongs to a lower hazard class compared with lead, was a suitable alternative to it. Light fabrics protecting from X-ray radiation and having similar attenuating effect can be manufactured by coated their surface with bismuth oxide (concentration exceeding 50%).…”

Early-Stage Growth Mechanism and Synthesis Conditions-Dependent Morphology of Nanocrystalline Bi Films Electrodeposited from Perchlorate Electrolyte

“…Uses of Bi-based composites and coatings offer a very applicable alternative to the lead protection against proton radiation due to much more environmentally friendly Bi [22,23]. Bi 2 O 3 -glasses showed high gamma radiation effectiveness [24], and textiles with filled Bi 2 O 3 particles are applied in the manufacture of overalls for medical personnel working on gamma-ray systems [25]. Multilayer structures with alternating layers light (Ba, Sb)/heavy (Bi, W) elements on the polymer substrate provide the protection equivalent to the lead materials, but with 25% lower mass-dimensional parameters [26].…”