Exploration of the gamma-ray shielding capabilities of tungsten oxide and chromium-infused silicone rubber composites

IF 2.8 3区物理与天体物理 Q3 CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL

Radiation Physics and Chemistry Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112661

B.P. Srilakshmi , A. Jagannatha Reddy , M.R. Ambika , Sherry Shajan Kuttukaran , Yeshwanth H. Reddy , N. Nagaiah , D.N. Deepika , Kalappa Prashantha

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Gamma rays are highly energetic type of ionizing radiation important in medical diagnostics, which requires effective protective measures. Polymers reinforced with appropriate fillers can offer excellent radiation shielding properties comparable to conventional materials. This study investigates the gamma radiation shielding efficiency of silicone rubber reinforced with tungsten oxide (WO₃) and chromium (Cr). Composites with fixed 30 phr WO₃ and varying Cr concentrations (10–70 phr) were fabricated and characterized. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM/EDX) confirmed uniform filler dispersion, while FTIR showed no significant chemical changes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed average crystallite sizes of 11–32 nm (Scherrer's formula) and 16–39 nm (Williamson-Hall plot). The mechanical properties were explored using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM), revealing that an increase in filler content correlated with enhanced tensile strength and hardness. Gamma attenuation studies (using Cs-137 and Ba-133 sources) revealed the excellent efficiency of the composite with 30 phr WO₃ and 50 phr Cr (3WO5C) with Mass Attenuation Coefficients (MAC) increasing from 1.45, 0.202, and 0.103 cm²/g to 1.57, 0.258, and 0.129 cm²/g, and half-value layer (HVL) thickness decreasing from 0.356, 2.551, and 6.722 cm to 0.269, 1.642, and 5.366 cm, for gamma energies 80, 356 and 662 keV respectively. Critically, these composites are significantly lighter than lead, offering improved shielding performance at a reduced weight.

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来源期刊

Radiation Physics and Chemistry 化学-核科学技术

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

17.20%

发文量

574

审稿时长

12 weeks

期刊介绍： Radiation Physics and Chemistry is a multidisciplinary journal that provides a medium for publication of substantial and original papers, reviews, and short communications which focus on research and developments involving ionizing radiation in radiation physics, radiation chemistry and radiation processing. The journal aims to publish papers with significance to an international audience, containing substantial novelty and scientific impact. The Editors reserve the rights to reject, with or without external review, papers that do not meet these criteria. This could include papers that are very similar to previous publications, only with changed target substrates, employed materials, analyzed sites and experimental methods, report results without presenting new insights and/or hypothesis testing, or do not focus on the radiation effects.