Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Composite Materials, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
This research focused on investigating the radiation shielding and thermal characteristics of composite materials created by varying the ratios of Bi2O3 and starch. Various composite formulations were developed by blending Bi2O3 powder with starch in ratios of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Linear attenuation coefficients of these composites were valued using a NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry system. Additionally, theoretical calculations were performed using the XCOM platform and GAMOS simulation, incorporating fundamental composite analysis, and these results were compared with empirical data. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed distinct diffraction peaks in Bi2O3 powder, and its pore size distribution exhibited favorable characteristics. Considering the morphological properties of the nanocomposites, it was observed that Bi2O3 in the starch matrix did not undergo agglomeration and even formed homogeneous structures. Examination of the thermal degradation profiles of the samples indicated a significant overlap between the remaining ash quantities and the mass percentages of the prepared samples. The measured experimental linear attenuation coefficient results were ranged from 0.147 ± 0.023 cm−1 to 0.267 ± 0.107 cm−1 for 662 keV, from 0.119 ± 0.007 cm−1 to 0.165 ± 0.021 cm−1 for 1173 keV, and from 0.111 ± 0.015 cm−1 to 0.152 ± 0.040 cm−1 for 1332 keV for starch-Bi2O3 nanocomposites. Notably, the most effective shielding material among the studied samples was found to be a combination of starch and 50% Bi2O3.