Synthesis and characterization of waste polyethylene/<scp>Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub></scp> composites reinforced with <scp>CuO</scp>/<scp>ZnO</scp> nanoparticles as sustainable radiation shielding materials
Eman H. Awad, Heba A. Raslan, M. T. Abou‐Laila, Eman O. Taha, M. M. Atta
Abstract
Abstract In the present research, waste polyethylene (WPE)/Bi 2 O 3 composites have been investigated as lightweight, inexpensive, and nontoxic lead‐free γ‐ray shielding materials. Different WPE‐based composites were prepared with varying concentrations of Bi 2 O 3 (30 and 40 phr). The effect of adding ZnO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) inside the WPE/Bi 2 O 3 (30) matrix was studied by incorporating 10 phr of NPs inside it. The nanocomposites' structural, thermal, and mechanical properties and competence in shielding against γ‐radiation are studied. The outcomes revealed that the mechanical properties of the pristine WPE were enhanced after incorporating Bi 2 O 3 by 30 phr, and then it worsened after increasing the Bi 2 O 3 ratio to 40 phr. In contrast, better mechanical properties were obtained for those composites with NPs, where the maximum tensile strength (16.2 MPa) was recorded for the WPE/Bi 2 O 3 /CuO composite (higher than WPE by 47.27%). Numbers of parameters like μ m , HVL (half‐value layer), TVL (tenth value layer), RPE%, and percentage of heaviness can denote the efficiency of shielding properties of composites at 662 KeV from 137 Cs point source. It was found that μ m and RPE% reach the maximum value for WPE/Bi 2 O 3 (40 phr). Adding NPs decreases μ m of WPE/Bi 2 O 3 (30) slightly. Highlights Composites based on waste polyethylene (WPE)/Bi 2 O 3 (30 and 40 phr) were fabricated. Nano CuO and ZnO improved the mechanical properties of WPE/Bi 2 O 3 (30). WPE/Bi 2 O 3 (40) composites show the best shielding characteristics. Nano CuO and ZnO slightly decreased μ m of WPE/Bi 2 O 3 (30).