Lead-free single and dual-filler loaded polychloroprene X-ray shielding nanocomposites

• Developed flexible, lead-free X-ray shielding composites using Bi₂O₃ and BaSO₄ particles in a polychloroprene (CR) matrix. • Ba-CR composites performed best at 80 kVp, while Bi-CR composites excelled at 120 and 135 kVp. • The Ba/Bi-CR dual-filler composites showed enhanced attenuation at all tested voltages with 20 phr loading. • Achieved up to 60 % weight reduction compared to lead-based shields. • CR composites offer a promising, lightweight, and environmentally friendly alternative to lead-based X-ray shielding materials. Flexible polymers loaded with metal particles other than Pb are emerging composites for X-ray shielding applications. In this study, the X-ray radiation shielding performance of bismuth oxide (Bi 2 O 3 ) and barium sulfate (BaSO 4 ) metal particles embedded in polychloroprene (CR) matrix was evaluated with X-ray tube voltages of 80, 120 and 135 kVp. BaSO 4 and Bi 2 O 3 micro- and nanoparticle were synthesized and successfully loaded (0 – 60 parts per hundred, phr) as singular and dual functional additive of CR matrix. At 80 kVp, CR loaded with BaSO 4 particles (Ba-CR) showed enhanced attenuation capabilities (linear attenuation coefficient, μ = 2.56 cm -1 ). However, at 120 and 135 kVp, Bi-CR composites showed better shielding performance (μ = 1.813 cm -1 and μ = 1.621 cm -1 at 120 and 135 kVp, respectively). The dual-filler composites (Ba/Bi-CR composites) have shown a synergistic effect at 20 phr particle loading (10Ba/10Bi-CR), showing enhanced attenuation in nearly all tube voltages. The results of the study pointed out a promising potential for CR composites with BaSO 4 and/or Bi 2 O 3 additives for lead-free X-ray protective material with more flexibility, light weightiness, and environmentally friendly attributes.