Comprehensive examination of synthesis, microstructure, and radiation shielding effectiveness of multi-layered polymeric GNP-nanocomposites

In the current study, a hybrid structures based on graphene nano-platelets (GNP) decorated with iron oxide (I_op) prepared in ambient atmosphere have been synthesized at different content of I_op (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 %). The manufacturing of nano-composites films were successfully proven by XRD patterns, SEM and Raman spectra. Four GNP/Fe₃O₄ (GNP/IO N₂) nano-composites were evaluated for their gamma-ray shielding capabilities using gamma spectrometry experimental technique. Various shielding parameters of γ-rays, including linear attenuation coefficient (μ), mass attenuation coefficient (μ_m), half-value layer (HVL), effective atomic number (Z_eff), electron density (N_el), mean free path (λ), and radiation protection effectiveness, were measured experimentally at 11 energy lines from 0.244 to 1.408 MeV using NaI (Tl) scintillator detector and a variety of radioisotopes, such as Cs-137, Eu-152, and Co-60. The mass attenuation coefficients at various energies increased dramatically as the filler weight percentage increased. The S4 sample's greatest effective atomic number (Z_eff) values range from 11.631 to 13.564, while its minimum half-value layer (HVL) values range from 1.895 to 8.985 cm. Additionally, the S4 sample had the highest protection against photons out of all the examined samples, providing 100 % protection against X-ray photons up to 50 keV. It is an effective material for applications involving X-ray shielding. The created samples are lightweight, flexible, and reasonably priced, and they might be employed as a non-toxic nano-filler instead of traditional lead, which is dangerous and dense.