Abstract
This research aims to study the effect of molybdenum nanoparticles (Mo-NPs) on the radiation protection properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for gamma shielding application. The nanocomposite samples were prepared by varying the Mo-NPs content (x = 0.0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.09 wt%) in the PVA matrix. PVA/Mo nano -composites were characterized using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The pattern displayed an increase in the disorder of the PVA crystallinity with the Mo-NPs content increment. The optical and electrical properties were measured for all nanocomposite samples with different Mo-NPs content. The transmittance and the bandgap energy decrease as the content of the nano-Mo increase while the electrical conductivity increases with a decrease in the activation energy with the increment of Mo-NPs wt.% in the nanocomposites. The irradiation properties were also tested to acquire the radiation shielding performance of these PVA/Mo nanocomposite films with varying Mo-NPs wt%. The linear attenuation coefficient (mu), half value layer (T-0.5), and mass attenuation coefficient (mu(m)) were measured. According to all obtained data, PVA/Mo nanocomposite films with various percentages (0.0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.09 wt%) can be employed as a radiation shielding material.