Effect of waste fly ash incorporated into the polymer matrix and surface interactions on radiation shielding effectiveness

Abstract

This study focuses on enhancing the surface modification of waste fly ash, which is generated by coal combustion in thermal power plants. The electrospinning method was used to reinforce waste fly ash onto PAN nanofiber. The present study investigates the surface interaction between ceramic fly ash particles and PAN polymer and the potential synergy that may arise from their combination. The flexing capacity of PAN fiber has been found to reach up to three times its original size while simultaneously integrating the fly ash ceramic component into its structural composition. It has been discovered that adding fly ash to PAN Fiber improves its gamma and neutron shielding properties. According to this understanding, the radiation at 0.05 MeV energy can be reduced by 50% with just 0.7 cm of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofiber material.