Shielding Efficacy of Tungsten Oxide-Reinforced Polyisoprene in Attenuating Technetium-99m Gamma Radiation: An Alternative Shielding Solution for Occupational Safety in Nuclear Medicine

Tungsten oxide (WO3) is a high-density material with exceptional radiation attenuation properties, making it a strong candidate for advanced shielding applications. This study explores the structural, mechanical, and shielding performance of WO3-reinforced polyisoprene composites. Morphological analysis reveals a plate-like structure, indicating robust interfacial interactions that enhance mechanical integrity and thermal stability. X-ray diffraction confirms the crystalline nature of WO3, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy detects distinct W–O bond absorption bands, validating uniform dispersion. Computational analysis using XCOM demonstrates remarkable improvements in attenuation properties, particularly at intermediate- and high-photon energies. While PbO2 outperforms at lower energies due to the photoelectric effect, Phy-X/PSD analysis confirms that composites with ≥75% WO3 offer strong shielding capabilities. Variations in effective atomic number, linear attenuation coefficient, and mass attenuation coefficient establish WO3-reinforced NR as a compelling lead-free alternative, especially for Tc-99m applications. Experimental findings further reveal that increasing WO3 content significantly reduces Tc-99m gamma radiation dose equivalents Hp(0.07), Hp(3), and Hp(10), emphasizing the potential of WO3-reinforced composites for next-generation radiation shielding solutions.