Gamma-ray shielding enhancement using glycidyl methacrylate polymer composites reinforced by titanium alloy and bismuth oxide nanoparticles

The efficiency of a polymer composed of glycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) combined with titanium alloy (Ti 6 Al 4 V) and bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi 2 O 3 -NPs) in attenuating gamma radiation was evaluated by monitoring emissions from radioactive sources, including Am-241, Ba-133, Na-22, Cs-137, and Co-60. The Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis confirms the composition of synthesized polymer samples, and the surface morphology of the samples was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fabricated polymer composite consisting of glycidyl methacrylate (PGMA), enhanced with titanium alloy (Ti 6 Al 4 V) and bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi₂O₃-NPs), demonstrates notable improvement in attenuating low-energy gamma rays (sub-200keV). The results indicate that concentration increasing of Bi₂O₃-NPs in polymer composites improves the shielding. At the concentration of 20% Bi₂O₃-NPs, HVL and MFP values are reduced at all tested energy levels, demonstrating enhanced attenuation. Significant increases are observed in the low energy range (0–200 keV), which then plateau in the medium range (200–600 keV), followed by a stabilization with minor increases beyond 600 keV. The study suggests that synthesized composites could be useful for protecting against gamma rays in nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, industries, and space exploration.