Due to the increasing demands for improved radiation safety and the growing concerns regarding the excessive use of plastics, this work aimed to develop effective and eco-friendly thermal-neutron-shielding materials based on recycled high-density polyethylene (r-HDPE) composites containing varying surface-treated gadolinium oxide (GdO) contents (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%). The results indicate that the overall thermal-neutron-shielding properties of the r-HDPE composites were enhanced with the addition of GdO, as evidenced by large reductions in I/I, HVL, and TVL, as well as the substantial increases in ∑ and ∑ of the composites. Furthermore, the results reveal that the values for tensile properties initially increased up to 5-15 wt% of GdO and then gradually decreased at higher contents. In addition, the results show that the addition of GdO particles generally increased the density (ρ), the remaining ash at 600 °C, and the degree of crystallinity (%XC) of the composites. This work also determined the effects of gamma irradiation on relevant properties of the composites. The findings indicate that following gamma aging, the tensile modulus slightly increased, while the tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness (Shore D) showed no significant ( < 0.05) differences, except for the sample containing 5 wt% of GdO, which exhibited a noticeable reduction in elongation at break. Furthermore, by comparing the neutron-shielding and mechanical properties of the developed r-HDPE composites with common borated polyethylene (PE) containing 5 wt% and 15 wt% of boron, the results clearly indicate the superior shielding and tensile properties in the r-HDPE composites, implying the great potential of r-HDPE composites to replace virgin plastics as effective and more eco-friendly shielding materials.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym16081139 | DOI Listing |
Polymers (Basel)
April 2024
Special Research Unit of Radiation Technology for Advanced Materials (RTAM), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
Due to the increasing demands for improved radiation safety and the growing concerns regarding the excessive use of plastics, this work aimed to develop effective and eco-friendly thermal-neutron-shielding materials based on recycled high-density polyethylene (r-HDPE) composites containing varying surface-treated gadolinium oxide (GdO) contents (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%). The results indicate that the overall thermal-neutron-shielding properties of the r-HDPE composites were enhanced with the addition of GdO, as evidenced by large reductions in I/I, HVL, and TVL, as well as the substantial increases in ∑ and ∑ of the composites. Furthermore, the results reveal that the values for tensile properties initially increased up to 5-15 wt% of GdO and then gradually decreased at higher contents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this work, recycled high-density polyethylene plastic (r-HDPE) reinforced with ilmenite mineral (Ilm) in different ratios (0, 15, 30, and 45 wt%) as a sustainable and flexible radiation shielding material was manufactured using the melt blending method. XRD patterns and FTIR spectra demonstrated that the polymer composite sheets were successfully developed. The morphology and elemental composition were addressed using SEM images and EDX spectra.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWaste Manag Res
November 2020
Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Unidad de Materiales, México.
This work presents a study on the use of wood and plastic wastes generated in abundance in Merida, Mexico, to help to reduce them in order to mitigate environmental deterioration. The use of these wastes is proposed to obtain a low-cost building material. So, the escalation process (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWaste Manag Res
September 2010
Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Unidad de Materiales, Mérida, Yucatán, México.
A preliminary study on the use of wood and plastic wastes generated in Merida, Mexico to assess their potential for the development of building materials is reported. Composites based on recycled, high-density polyethylene (R-HDPE) loaded with wood particles were prepared. The R-HDPE was collected from Merida's Separation Plant, where it was sorted from other residues, either organic or inorganic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!