Green synthesis and characterization of Bi2O3 nanoparticles as outstanding filler in polyester for radiation shielding performance
Mohamed A. Hamada, Olfat M. Sadek, W.K. Mekhamer, Ibrahim H. Saleh, Mohamed Elsafi
Abstract
Abstract In this work, Bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi 2 O 3 NPs) were prepared by green synthesis method as cost effective and ecofriendly method using olive leaves extract. The successful preparation of nanoparticles was confirmed using IR and XRD. The Bi 2 O 3 NPs were used in preparation of unsaturated polyester nanocomposites with different ratios (1, 5, 10, and 20 wt%). The shielding properties of these composites were studied against gamma radiation with different energies emitted from different radioactive sources (59.5, 661.7, (1173 and 1333) keV from Am-241, Cs-137, and Co-60 in series) since different parameters were measured. The results showed that LAC and RSE% increased and HVL and TVL decreased with increase of Bi 2 O 3 NPs ratio. The 20 wt% nanocomposite sample has highest LAC values among all samples where it has LAC values of 1.668, 0.134, 0.094, and 0.088 cm − 1 at 59, 661, 1173, and 1333 keV, respectively. On other hand, pure unsaturated polyester has lowest values where it has LAC values of 0.250, 0.105, 0.078, 0.075 cm − 1 at 59, 661, 1173, and 1333 keV, respectively. Also, addition of Bi 2 O 3 NPs improves thermal properties of the composites where the 20 wt% sample shows 10% weight loss only after 326 °C compared to 247 °C for pure polyester. On other hand, the mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester were negatively affected where compressive strength decreased from 10 to 4.94 MPa with 20 wt% addition percent.