Enhanced physical, dielectric, and radiation shielding properties of PVA/CMC/x wt% ZnS-blended polymers

Abstract

This study produced promising nanocomposite blended polymers from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) infused with zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles, PVA/CMC/x wt% ZnS-blended polymers, making them ideal for various applications. The structures of the nanofiller (ZnS) and PVA/CMC with x wt % ZnS-blended polymers were investigated using X-ray diffraction technique. The effect of doping on the morphology of the host blend was examined using scanning electron microscopy. As the concentration of ZnS rose to 10% in the PVA/CMC matrix, the value of the real part of the dielectric constant initially reduced and then rose with higher amount ratios in the host blended polymer. The peak value of energy density of the doped blended polymer was achieved with a blend containing 5 wt % ZnS. The impact of ZnS doping amount on the AC conductivity and electric modulus of the host blend was explored. The introduction of varying quantities of micro-ZnS leads to increased LAC values throughout the whole energy spectrum. The maximum LAC value for an undoped blend is 1.54126 cm at 0.015 MeV, whereas for a blended polymer doped with 20 wt% ZnS, it rose to 2.59823 cm. The minimum corresponding values of 0.02334 cm and 0.03422 cm were recorded at 15 MeV, respectively. The MAC values exhibited minimal variation as the blended polymer was doped with varying amounts of ZnS. The HVL and TVL values decreased with the increased incorporation of nano-ZnS in the host blend. The MFP dropped from 2.48955 cm (undoped blend) to 1.55154 cm (doped blend with 20 wt% ZnS) at 0.03 MeV. The corresponding values at 1 MeV are 11.47449 and 7.75989 cm, respectively. The difference between TVL and HVL at 15 MeV is 68 cm for undoped blended polymers and 47 cm for doped blended polymers containing 20 wt% ZnS. The doped blend containing 20 wt % ZnS demonstrated the highest FNRCS value among all blends. The buildup factors values of the PVA/CMC blended polymer decreased with the incorporation of varying amounts of nano-ZnS.