Gamma Irradiation and the Radiation Shielding Characteristics: For the Lead Oxide Doped the Crosslinked Polystyrene-b-Polyethyleneglycol Block Copolymers and the Polystyrene-b-Polyethyleneglycol-Boron Nitride Nanocomposites

Abstract

This work aimed to research the efficiency of gamma irradiation and shielding characteristics on the lead oxide (PbO) doped the crosslinked polystyrene-b-polyethyleneglycol (PS-b-PEG) block copolymers and polystyrene-b-polyethyleneglycol-boron nitride (PS-b-PEG-BN) nanocomposites materials. The crosslinked PS-b-PEG block copolymers and PS-b-PEG-BN nanocomposites mixed with different percentage rates of PbO were used to research gamma-ray shielding characteristics. The synthesis of the copolymer was done by emulsion polymerization methods. The characterization and morphological analyses of irradiated samples were explored handling with the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) methods. The gamma-rays that were emitted from the E 152u source were observed with a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector system and examined with a GammaVision computer program. Our samples, including the different percentage rates of the PS-b-PEG (1000, 1500, 10,000), BN, and PbO, were irradiated in various gamma-ray photon energy regions (from 121.78 keV to 1408.01 keV). Then, Linear-Mass Attenuation Coefficients (LACs-MACs), Half-Tenth Value Layer (HVL), Mean Free Path (MFP), and Radiation Protection Efficiency (RPE) values of the samples were calculated. Via crosschecking the acquired data from samples with and without PbO and BN, it was observed that, if the different percentage rates by weight nano-powder of PbO and BN are added in the polymer mixture, it can be used as a convenient shielding material against gamma rays.

Radiation Shielding Tests of Crosslinked Polystyrene-b-Polyethyleneglycol Block Copolymers Blended with Nanostructured Selenium Dioxide and Boron Nitride Particles

“…The temperatures between 66.5 and 293.8 °C were observed as 76.020–69.250%. This sample again started to vary, from 69.250% at 293.8 °C to 3.000% at 401.6 °C, with a deterioration rate of 66.250% between 293.8 and 401.6 °C [ 12 ].…”

“…The synthesis, characterization, and detailed analysis of the PS-b-PEG in all nanocomposites used in this investigation were carried out at our research group’s laboratory [ 12 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. All PS-b-PEG copolymers (1000, 1500, and 10,000) included in this study’s nanocomposites were crosslinked.…”

“…All PS-b-PEG copolymers (1000, 1500, and 10,000) included in this study’s nanocomposites were crosslinked. The FTIR and NMR attributes obtained for the characterization of the PEG (1000-1500-10,000) crosslinkers, the PS-b-PEG copolymers, and the characteristic peaks of the polymers are detailed in [ 12 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. The reaction pathways of this copolymer structure can be viewed in Scheme 1 .…”

“…Protection from the effects of radiation includes two conditions: protection under normal and abnormal conditions. Under normal conditions, the impermeability of radioactive and radiation-containing materials is the main objective, while under abnormal conditions, the flexibility, durability, high corrosion resistance, and thermal properties of the materials are taken into account, in addition to the former [ 11 , 12 ].…”

“…For this reason, researchers have remarkably focused on polymer-based irradiation (gamma, electromagnetic, etc.) shielding substances [ 11 , 12 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. To develop an effective neutron shielding material, Zhang et al worked on alternating multilayered composites (high-density polyethylene/high-density polyethylene/boron nitride (HDPE/HDPE/BN) and HDPE/BN/HDPE/barium sulfate (BaSO 4 ) systems), and found that neutron permeability noticeably diminished with multilayered composites, and that compared to classic polymer-based substances, these composites illustrated great shielding performance [ 19 ].…”