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Radiation shielding materials: A brief review on methods, scope and

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Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ , 27th January 2017; P.C.
Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100.. JABINTRONICS-2017

24. Radiation shielding materials:

A brief review on methods, scope and significance
Rajeshwari Mirji1, Blaise Lobo1, *
1
Department of Physics, Karnatak Science College, Karnatak University, Dharwad-580003,
Karnataka, India.

*Corresponding author address: Department of Physics, Karnatak University’s Karnatak

Science College, Dharwad-580001, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: blaise.lobo@gmail.com

Abstract
Electromagnetic (EM radiation) interference shielding is important for users of electronic equipment, in order to
reduce the electromagnetic noise. The use of polymeric composites with different compositions as EM
interference shielding material is a matter of contemporary research interest. On another front, ionizing radiation
like x-rays and gamma radiation have many applications in fields like medical diagnosis, cancer treatment,
radiation treatment of food (preservation) and nuclear (fission) energy. However, exposure to ionizing radiation
will cause a deterioration in health of the user, depending on the absorbed radiation dose. In order to protect
users of such facilities from ionising radiation, shielding is necessary. Most often, the material used is metallic
lead (Pb). But, the use of a toxic heavy metal like Pb could cause serious long – term effects on health and
environment. Polymer composites with high Z (atomic number) fillers can replace toxic lead in ionising
radiation shielding applications because of their unique properties; being lightweight, cost-effective, having
mechanical flexibility as well as being less toxic. In this paper, the recent developments and methods in the
preparation of polymer composites as radiation shielding materials are reviewed.

Key-words: Radiation Shielding materials; Ionising radiation; EMI Shielding; Polymer composites; Lead
shield; Gamma radiation.

1. Introduction
Nowadays, the application of nuclear physics methods to material science is rapidly growing.
Nuclear techniques like positron annihilation spectroscopy, neutron scattering, external
bremsstrahlung studies and energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (using a radio isotope as the
source of incident radiation) help researchers to understand materials more elaborately, at the
elementary, microscopic and sub-microscopic levels. A large number of researchers are
actively involved in the study of condensed matter using nuclear methods, leading to the
creation of a new branch of study, namely, Nuclear Condensed Matter (NCM) Physics.
Hence, the use of radio-isotopes and other radiation sources (For example: x-ray tubes) in
scientific research on advanced materials has increased tremendously in the last few decades.

JABINTRONICS-2017; Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ at P.C.

Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; 27th January 2017; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100
Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ , 27th January 2017; P.C.
Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100.. JABINTRONICS-2017

Electromagnetic radiation which can cause ionisation, such as gamma rays and x-rays
are dangerous to human health. People can get exposed to gamma and x-radiations from
different types of sources, which find use in industries, medical diagnostic centres, nuclear
research establishments, nuclear reactors, research involving radio-isotopes and nuclear
weapon development facilities. In order to protect personnel and sensitive electronic
equipment from such ionising radiation, shielding is necessary. Radiation shielding is the
practice of protecting people and the environment from harmful effect of ionising radiation.
Exposure to radiation is one of the major concerns when setting up nuclear power plants, the
use of strong (high activity) radioisotopes in ‘spin-off’ applications like food preservation and
cancer treatment, particle accelerator facilities as well as medical X-ray diagnostic systems,
in order to prevent radiation from causing significant health problems among the users of
these radiation based facilities [1]. So, many types of shielding materials are installed at work
places using radioactive and x-ray sources, in order to make the work place a safe zone for
humans. Metallic lead (Pb) has been used most often as the radiation shielding material due
to its high atomic number (Z), high density, low cost, easy processability and mainly because,
it provides effective shielding against penetrative gamma radiation. However, Pb is known
for its toxicity, environmental pollution and extremely low level of neutron absorption. It has
now become a priority to try and find materials that can effectively replace Pb as a radiation
shielding material [2]. Polymer composites doped with high Z constituents (other than Pb)
can be used as shielding materials. Such alternative radiation shielding materials have lower
effective density, but they provide sufficient, sometimes an improved protection against
exposure to dangerous radiation. They even find applications in dosimetry and are also
effective in the absorption of neutrons (say, from a nuclear reactor).
One of the most exciting areas in material sciences is the field of polymeric materials.
In the last two decades, polymeric materials have become a part of the everyday life of a
human being in the civilized world. This is due to the large number of their applications, in
industrial, biological, consumer and medical fields. Polymeric materials have gained the
attention of many scientists due to their unique properties such as reasonable cost, light
weight, flexibility, good mechanical strength and interesting optical as well as electrical
properties. Electrically conducting polymers have been the centre of scientific interest and
active multidisciplinary research and industrial research groups not just because their
interesting properties, but also due their potential as materials for the fabrication of newer
devices. Conducting polymers like polypyrrole (PPy), polythiophene, polyacetylene (PAc)

JABINTRONICS-2017; Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ at P.C.

Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; 27th January 2017; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100
Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ , 27th January 2017; P.C.
Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100.. JABINTRONICS-2017

and polyaniline (PANI) find application in solid corrosion resistant materials, electrical
appliances, electrolytes for batteries and electromagnetic shielding materials [3]. Among all
these applications, conducting polymers play a prominent role in applications such as
electromagnetic shielding and dosimetry.

2. Research on (ionising) radiation shielding materials.

High atomic number (Z) materials/ elements can effectively replace the poisonous Pb, and
these alternative elements/ salts/ compounds can be reinforced within a polymer matrix [4].
Some of the high Z constituents used for radiation shielding applications are tungsten,
dysprosium, gadolinium [5] and tin. These materials are known for their non-toxicity and
environmental friendly nature, when compared to Pb [6]. They are having major advantages
over lead compounds (like lead nitrate) and are considered to be the least toxic among heavy
metals. A third component in the form of a binder can be added along with the high Z
constituents and the polymer matrix, so that the physical, radiological and electrical
properties of the resulting composite are improved. Some of these materials have found
application in radiology and dosimetry.
Many researchers have significantly contributed to radiation shielding materials.
Kulwinder Singh Mann from D.A.V. College, Bathinda, is working in the field of gamma-
ray shielding materials, double layered shielding enclosures and radiation computational
physics. He has worked on the gamma radiation shielding behaviour of some polymeric
materials, plastic (compounded polymer) materials, boron compounds and low-Z alkali
minerals [7,8]. They have also calculated the attenuating properties of some low Z silicates
and obtained the energy build up factors. The data obtained is very useful, to find the
absorbed doses in the dosimetric applications.
Kumar et al [9] have investigated the shielding effectiveness of some alkali minerals,
which have been compared with the radiation shielding properties of concretes. Concrete is
an effective and economical material for the construction of a radiation shielding material. It
has been used as a protective cover against ionising radiations at permanent installations of
nuclear power plants, research reactors, particle accelerators and high-level radioactive
research laboratories. This is because of the compressive strength, workability and long
durability of concrete materials. Barite loaded concrete materials were tested by Akkurt et al
[10], and these composites were compared with Pb as a standard/ control material.
Composites were prepared by addition of colemanite into concrete by Gencel et al [11], who

JABINTRONICS-2017; Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ at P.C.

Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; 27th January 2017; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100
Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ , 27th January 2017; P.C.
Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100.. JABINTRONICS-2017

observed that the increase of colemanite ratio (in volume) has changed for the better, the
engineering properties of concrete and also its shielding effectiveness.

3. Polymer composites as radiation shielding materials.

Polymer composites are materials having a polymer matrix reinforced metal compounds. The
choice of metal compounds mainly depends on end use, because their incorporation in the
polymeric host will significantly change the properties of the polymeric material. In general,
the desirable features are high density, increased radiation shielding properties, heat
resistance and significant toughness/ durability. In the present article, the large amount of
work which has been done on polymer composite based shielding materials cannot be
comprehensively described, the choice of work presented here is based on the subjective
choice of the authors. The research on development of shielding polymeric composite
materials with high Z constituents are emphasised here. These materials need to be
characterised by several techniques, including nuclear techniques, before releasing them for
end user applications. Nambiar et al [12] have synthesised lead-free radiation- protection
nanomaterials; polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites were developed by adding
different weight percentage of bismuth oxide (BO) nanopowder. They confirmed that these
materials provide good shielding against x-rays. Unsaturated polyester resin reinforced with
the bismuth oxide composites were fabricated by the Ambika et al [13]; the study reveals that
gamma ray shielding properties were enhanced with increase in concentration of bismuth
oxide. A new shielding material has been prepared by Ersoz et al [14], who chose micro-
sized tungsten powder mixed with ethylene vinyle acetate (EEVA).
Since organic polymeric materials usually contain hydrogen, they can be used to
absorb neutrons. When doped with boron compounds, polymeric materials are effective for
shielding against neutrons. The composites made with polyethylene and boron are very much
effective in the absorption of slow neutrons as well as for space radiation applications [15].
Gwailt et al [16] showed the natural rubber (40 HAF/NR), when loaded with different
concentrations of boron carbide (B4C) can be used for thermal neutron radiation shielding
applications. Epoxy resin has outstanding properties, such as good dimensional stability due
to its low shrinkage and excellent adhesion to many reinforcements [17]. Adeli et al [18] have
fabricated boron carbide/epoxy composites for for neutron absorption applications. Chang et
al [19] prepared tungsten/ epoxy resin composites, having different filler levels of tungsten
powder. The effect of neutron and x-ray/gamma irradiation on the mechanical properties of

JABINTRONICS-2017; Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ at P.C.

Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; 27th January 2017; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100
Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ , 27th January 2017; P.C.
Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100.. JABINTRONICS-2017

these composites and their thermal stability needs to be monitored, at different doses (of
radiation absorbed by the material).

4. Materials for EMI Shielding.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is an important concern for users of electronic
equipment, in order to reduce the ambient electromagnetic (EM) noise. Thus, the application
of these materials is vital for users of commercial (For example: TV signal transmission,
telephone microwave relay system, weather radar), defence (military) and scientific
electronic equipment. The use of polymeric composites with different compositions as EM
interference shielding material is a matter of contemporary research interest [20]. An
important point here is that the shielding material should absorb the EM radiation falling on
it, rather than reflecting the same. Epoxy based polymeric composites play an important role
for shielding against electromagnetic radiations. The use of organic-inorganic hybrid
materials for EMI shielding applications is also being investigated. Hybrid polymeric
electrolytes, which have high ionic conductivity and good dielectric properties (dielectric
constant). The suitability of a material for EMI shielding, as reflected by their shielding
effectiveness value, depends on magnetic properties (permeability), dielectric constant and
thickness of the material as well as the frequency of EM radiation.
Veena Choudhary is from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. She is
working in the field of electromagnetic shielding performance of polymeric composites,
using carbon nano tubes (CNT) and graphene reinforced polymer composites, for
electromagnetic shielding applications. She is actively studying the structural, spectral and
thermal properties of new polymeric materials [21] . The tailoring of polypyrrole backbone
by optimizing synthesis parameters for efficient EMI shielding properties in X-band (8.2–
12.4GHz), a paper published in 2016 by Gahlout and Veena Choudhary [22] describes the
effect of reaction conditions i.e. oxidant concentration (ferric chloride), dopant concentration
and nature of dopant on the conductivity and electromagnetic shielding properties of
polypyrrole (PPy).
Amita Chandra, from the University of Delhi, in collaboration with S. K. Dhawan of
National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, has worked on hybrid polymer composites
as EMI materials [23]. They have emphasised on the charge transport properties of these
hybrid materials, as the ionic conductivity is an important parameter (along with value of
dielectric constant) for enhancement of EMI shielding effectiveness of the material.

JABINTRONICS-2017; Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ at P.C.

Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; 27th January 2017; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100
Proc. National Conference on ‘Advances in VLSI and Microelectronics’ , 27th January 2017; P.C.
Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100.. JABINTRONICS-2017

Bhanu Pratap Singh is working at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New
Delhi, in the field of polymeric nanocomposites, electromagnetic interference shielding, and
energy storage Lithium ion battery. His study includes Polyaniline-MWCNT
nanocomposites, polyaniline/CNT/polystyrene blends, CNT reinforced polymethyl
methacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene composites, for microwave absorption [24]. B. P.
Singh is actively doing research on producing more effective microwave shielding materials.

5. Conclusions.
The preparation and characterisation of polymer composites reinforced with different high Z
constituents is a matter of contemporary research interest. A variety of non-Pb materials are
capable of providing increased radiation protection, when compared tor Pb-containing
radiation shielding materials. The choice of radiation shielding material is dependent on the
type of radiation for which it is designed. It is necessary to develop new polymeric materials
with radiation shielding abilities, and for attenuating electromagnetic radiation. The use of
composite polymeric materials for both EM and ionising radiation shielding applications
needs to be explored. A comprehensive experimental investigation and testing of such
composite materials is vital, before commercial use of the same for radiation shielding
applications.

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Jabin Science College, Huballi, India; 27th January 2017; ISBN 978-81-931806-8-6; Pages 96-100

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