Nuclear Science and Techniques

Abstract:

A bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃)-dispersed carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) flexible film was prepared as a flexible lead-free material for gamma ray (γ-ray) attenuation. However, obtaining a uniform and stable dispersion of Bi₂O₃ in carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber latex (XNBRL) is a challenge due to sedimentation induced by the remarkable density differences. Here, this challenge was approached by reducing the Bi₂O₃ particle radius, increasing the viscosity of the latex, and adding a dispersant. The experimental results confirmed that Bi₂O₃ was well dispersed in the XNBRL in the concentration range of 30–70 wt%. The mechanical properties demonstrated that the Bi₂O₃/XNBR flexible films had a good resistance to oil, acid, alkali, and hot air. The linear attenuation coefficients of the Bi₂O₃/XNBR flexible films obtained from the experiments were in good agreement with the calculated values. The attenuation efficiencies of the Bi₂O₃/XNBR flexible films with different thicknesses and Bi₂O₃ contents were investigated for a few different cray energies. These results showed that the Bi₂O₃/XNBR flexible films have wide application prospects for low-energy γ-ray attenuation.

Key words: Carboxylated nitrile butadiene, Rubber latex, Bi₂O₃, Gamma ray attenuation, Flexible films