Development of PMMA based polymer composite incorporating WO3 for gamma radiation shielding using synthesis and Monte Carlo simulation
Abstract Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) stands out for its widespread use in medical and industrial applications due to its transparency, impact resistance, lightweight nature, and weather durability, and ease of fabrication. In this study, we investigate a novel composite material combining PMMA wi...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11155-y |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Abstract Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) stands out for its widespread use in medical and industrial applications due to its transparency, impact resistance, lightweight nature, and weather durability, and ease of fabrication. In this study, we investigate a novel composite material combining PMMA with tungsten oxide (WO3), a high-atomic-number filler known to enhance gamma radiation shielding. Composite samples with varying weight fractions of WO3 were simulated using Monte Carlo particle transport codes, MCNP6 and GEANT4. Key shielding parameters, including the effective atomic number (via Phy-X), attenuation coefficients (via XCOM), linear and mass attenuation coefficients, mean free path, half-value layer, and tenth-value layer (via MCNP6, GEANT4, and experimental data) were analyzed. Experimental validation was performed using 137Cs gamma source. Remarkably, the addition of only 0.5% tungsten oxide resulted in more than a 60% increase in the linear attenuation coefficient, an 80% reduction in the mean free path, and over an 80% decrease in the half-value layer, compared to pure PMMA. Importantly, the composite retained high optical transparency at low filler concentrations, making it an ideal candidate for transparent radiation shielding applications such as protective windows, protective screens, medical barriers, industrial monitoring panels, and protective eyewear. These findings highlight the strong potential of PMMA-WO3 composites as effective, lightweight, and transparent gamma radiation shields. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |