Study on the Shielding Performance of Cotton Fabrics with Nano‐Barium Sulfate, Graphene Oxide, and Polyvinyl Alcohol Coating

In the medical radiation diagnosis and treatment, procedures like dental, thoracic, and bone density computed tomography (CT) scans are considered low‐dose radiation exposures. However, the radiation, especially its cumulative effects, can cause unavoidable damage to the human body. Effective radiation shielding has therefore become critically important. Traditional shielding materials have raised concerns due to their weight, poor durability, and toxicity, highlighting the need for lighter, more efficient, and environmentally friendly materials. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite coatings containing 25 and 40% nano‐barium sulfate were prepared, with varying concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) (2, 1, and 0.5%) to assess its effect on radiation shielding. Additionally, the radiation attenuation ratios of PVA‐coated fabrics with different nano‐barium sulfate contents (15–50%) were evaluated. The shielding performance was tested under low‐dose medical radiation at energy levels of 20, 30, and 40 keV to assess X‐ray shielding. The results show that increasing nano‐barium sulfate content improves X‐ray shielding efficiency compared to PVA‐coated fabric. The addition of GO further enhances shielding effectiveness, nanoparticle dispersion, fabric uniformity, and mechanical properties, making the material more suitable for practical radiation protection applications.