Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing Capabilities
The neutron- and X-ray-shielding, morphological, physical, mechanical, and self-healing properties were investigated for natural rubber (NR) composites containing varying gadolinium oxide (Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) contents (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 parts per hundred parts o...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/21/4481 |
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| author | Worawat Poltabtim Arkarapol Thumwong Ekachai Wimolmala Chanis Rattanapongs Shinji Tokonami Tetsuo Ishikawa Kiadtisak Saenboonruang |
| author_facet | Worawat Poltabtim Arkarapol Thumwong Ekachai Wimolmala Chanis Rattanapongs Shinji Tokonami Tetsuo Ishikawa Kiadtisak Saenboonruang |
| author_sort | Worawat Poltabtim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The neutron- and X-ray-shielding, morphological, physical, mechanical, and self-healing properties were investigated for natural rubber (NR) composites containing varying gadolinium oxide (Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) contents (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 parts per hundred parts of rubber; phr) to investigate their potential uses as self-healing and flexible neutron- and X-ray-shielding materials. Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> was selected as a radiation protective filler in this work due to its preferable properties of having relatively high neutron absorption cross-section (σ<sub>abs</sub>), atomic number (Z), and density (ρ) that could potentially enhance interaction probabilities with incident radiation. The results indicated that the overall neutron-shielding and X-ray-shielding properties of the NR composites were enhanced with the addition of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, as evidenced by considerable reductions in the half-value layer (HVL) values of the samples containing 100 phr Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> to just 1.9 mm and 1.3 mm for thermal neutrons and 60 kV X-rays, respectively. Furthermore, the results revealed that, with the increase in Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> content, the mean values (± standard deviations) of the tensile strength and elongation at break of the NR composites decreased, whereas the hardness (Shore A) increased, for which extreme values were found in the sample with 100 phr Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (3.34 ± 0.26 MPa, 411 ± 9%, and 50 ± 1, respectively). In order to determine the self-healing properties of the NR composites, the surfaces of the cut samples were gently pressed together, and they remained in contact for 60 min; then, the self-healing properties (the recoverable strength and the %Recovery) of the self-healed samples were measured, which were in the ranges of 0.30–0.40 MPa and 3.7–9.4%, respectively, for all the samples. These findings confirmed the ability to autonomously self-heal damaged surfaces through the generation of a reversible ionic supramolecular network. In summary, the outcomes from this work suggested that the developed Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR composites have great potential to be utilized as effective shielding materials, with additional dual shielding and self-healing capabilities that could prolong the lifetime of the materials, reduce the associated costs of repairing or replacing damaged equipment, and enhance the safety of all users and the public. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:43:41Z |
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| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:43:41Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
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| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-0344e7f03bdc4b1eb26e16e6a4c5a1ee2023-11-24T06:26:57ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-10-011421448110.3390/polym14214481Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing CapabilitiesWorawat Poltabtim0Arkarapol Thumwong1Ekachai Wimolmala2Chanis Rattanapongs3Shinji Tokonami4Tetsuo Ishikawa5Kiadtisak Saenboonruang6Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandSpecial Research Unit of Radiation Technology for Advanced Materials (RTAM), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandPolymer PROcessing and Flow (P-PROF) Research Group, Division of Materials Technology, School of Energy, Environment and Materials, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, ThailandDepartment of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandInstitute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Aomori 0368564, JapanDepartment of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 9601295, Hikarigaoka, JapanDepartment of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandThe neutron- and X-ray-shielding, morphological, physical, mechanical, and self-healing properties were investigated for natural rubber (NR) composites containing varying gadolinium oxide (Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) contents (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 parts per hundred parts of rubber; phr) to investigate their potential uses as self-healing and flexible neutron- and X-ray-shielding materials. Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> was selected as a radiation protective filler in this work due to its preferable properties of having relatively high neutron absorption cross-section (σ<sub>abs</sub>), atomic number (Z), and density (ρ) that could potentially enhance interaction probabilities with incident radiation. The results indicated that the overall neutron-shielding and X-ray-shielding properties of the NR composites were enhanced with the addition of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, as evidenced by considerable reductions in the half-value layer (HVL) values of the samples containing 100 phr Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> to just 1.9 mm and 1.3 mm for thermal neutrons and 60 kV X-rays, respectively. Furthermore, the results revealed that, with the increase in Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> content, the mean values (± standard deviations) of the tensile strength and elongation at break of the NR composites decreased, whereas the hardness (Shore A) increased, for which extreme values were found in the sample with 100 phr Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (3.34 ± 0.26 MPa, 411 ± 9%, and 50 ± 1, respectively). In order to determine the self-healing properties of the NR composites, the surfaces of the cut samples were gently pressed together, and they remained in contact for 60 min; then, the self-healing properties (the recoverable strength and the %Recovery) of the self-healed samples were measured, which were in the ranges of 0.30–0.40 MPa and 3.7–9.4%, respectively, for all the samples. These findings confirmed the ability to autonomously self-heal damaged surfaces through the generation of a reversible ionic supramolecular network. In summary, the outcomes from this work suggested that the developed Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR composites have great potential to be utilized as effective shielding materials, with additional dual shielding and self-healing capabilities that could prolong the lifetime of the materials, reduce the associated costs of repairing or replacing damaged equipment, and enhance the safety of all users and the public.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/21/4481natural rubberGd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>self-healingshieldingmechanical propertiesX-rays |
| spellingShingle | Worawat Poltabtim Arkarapol Thumwong Ekachai Wimolmala Chanis Rattanapongs Shinji Tokonami Tetsuo Ishikawa Kiadtisak Saenboonruang Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing Capabilities Polymers natural rubber Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> self-healing shielding mechanical properties X-rays |
| title | Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing Capabilities |
| title_full | Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing Capabilities |
| title_fullStr | Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing Capabilities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing Capabilities |
| title_short | Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing Capabilities |
| title_sort | dual x ray and neutron shielding properties of gd sub 2 sub o sub 3 sub nr composites with autonomous self healing capabilities |
| topic | natural rubber Gd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> self-healing shielding mechanical properties X-rays |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/21/4481 |
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