Pages: 315-328

Authors: Amro Obeid, Hanna EL Balaa, Omar EL Samad, Zainab Alsayed, Ramadan Awad, and Mohamed S. Badawi

Abstract

The X-rays of the narrow-spectrum N-series ranging from 40 kV to 150 kV were used to determine the radiation attenuation ability of a new category of a polymer composite fabricated for shielding purposes. High density polyethylene was synthesized through a compression molding technique, and incorporated with various filler amounts (10, 15, 25, and 35 wt.%) of bulk micro-sized WO₃ (Sample A), two WO3 nanoparticles 45 nm (Sample B), and 24 nm (Sample C). The WO₃ filler was identified and characterized using X-ray diffraction and a transmission electron microscope. The mass distribution of the chemical elements of the synthesized composites was determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The obtained results of the different attenuation parameters revealed that the particle size and weight fraction of WO₃ particles have an outstanding effect on the X-ray shielding ability of this composite. The experimental measurements of the mass attenuation coefficients were compared to the theoretical values tabulated in the NIST databases XCOM and FFAST. The mass attenuation coefficient was increased with the increment of WO₃ wt.% as well as with the decrease of the WO₃ particle size. This improvement in the attenuation parameters of the NP(C) composite suggests their promising applications in radiation protection at the diagnostic level.

Key words: high density polyethylene, WO₃ nanoparticle, mass attenuation coefficient, radiation protection

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