Introducing a novel beta-ray sensor based on polycarbonate/bismuth oxide nanocomposite

Abstract

In this research, for the first time, the polycarbonate/bismuth oxide (PC–Bi2O3) composite was studied as a beta-ray sensor using a pure beta-emitter 90Sr source. Firstly, the range and stopping power of the electrons in the composite at various loadings of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt% were calculated using the ESTAR program. Results of simulation demonstrated that the concentration of the heavy metal oxide particles into the polymer matrix played an important role in evaluating the range and stopping power of the electrons in the composite. Secondly, at the experimental phase, the pure Polycarbonate and 50 wt% PC–Bi2O3 nanocomposite with dimensions of 4 × 4 × 0.1 cm3 were prepared and irradiated by 90Sr. Also, current–voltage (I–V) plot exhibited linear response ranging from 100 to 1000 V at the fixed source‐to‐surface distance (SSD). Then the amount of electric current as the sensor response was measured in various dose rates at the fixed voltage of 400 V for the pure Polycarbonate and 50 wt% PC–Bi2O3 nanocomposite using an electrometer, in which results showed that the sensitivities were found as 20.3, and 33.3 nC mSv−1 cm−3, respectively. This study showed that this composite could serve as a novel beta-ray sensor.

Evaluation of dosimetric characteristics of a ternary nanocomposite based on High Density Polyethylene/Bismuth Oxide/Graphene Oxide for gamma-rays

“…The fact that the weight percentage of bismuth in Table 2 for the B 60 sample containing 60 wt% Bi 2 O 3 is estimated at around 10.5 w% proves the probability of agglomeration formation in this sample. This is related to the fact that polyethylene is a semi-crystalline polymer and nanoparticles tend to disperse more in the amorphous regions than in the crystalline regions 1 , 26 .…”

“…At the end, by multiplying this quantity by the slope value of the I-Dose rate plot, the sensitivity value of the dosimeter can be determined. This method has also been used in some references and previous works 1 , 8 . Thus, sensitivity of the B 60 sample to gamma-rays of 60 Co using Picker-V9 irradiator was obtained at a fixed voltage of 400 V considering the slope of the I-Dose rate plots in Fig.…”

“…Recently, polymer-nanocomposites have attracted significant attention from scientists for use as radiation protection, sensors, detectors, and dosimeters 1 – 10 . These materials have many advantages due to their lightness, flexibility, ease of processing, being tissue equivalent, and relatively low cost.…”

Assessment of new composites containing polyamide-6 and lead monoxide as shields against ionizing photonic radiation based on computational and experimental methods

“…In this regard, polymeric composites, as novel alternatives to traditional materials, have been proposed for designing protective shields and addressing the challenges of conventional methods 6 , 8 , 13 . Previously, polymeric composites were used successfully for the fabrication and design of radiation dosimeters 23 – 30 .…”

“…In line with experimental studies, several computational studies have confirmed the efficiency of lead-based composites 21 , 22 . Moreover, polymer-based composites and nanostructures have shown unique features in other radiation fields, including the basic design and development of ionizing radiation dosimeters 23 – 30 . Of the existing polymers, polyamide 6 is also known as a fiber-forming polymer with unique thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties.…”