Gamma radiation and charged particle shielding properties of Polymethyl methacrylate- Bi2O3 composite for medical shielding applications: Synthesis and simulation study

In this study, the radiation and interaction properties of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) separately mixed with 20% and 10% of Bi 2 O 3 were experımentally and computationally evaluated for deployment in medical apron design and other shielding applications. All investigated samples were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersion spectrometry (EDS) while the radiation shielding parameters were computed with XCOM and PHITS computer programs The results of the EDS show that carbon (C), oxygen (O), and bismuth (Bi) are the most important elements present in the prepared samples. The SEM result displayed surface anomalies due to a distinct bonding matrix between PMMA and Bi 2 O 3 . Results showed that PMMA polymer doped with 20% Bi 2 O 3 displayed the highest shielding characteristics with MAC of 20.74818 cm 2 /g at 0.015 MeV and 0.02448 cm 2 /g at 15 MeV photon energy which is significantly higher than some recently developed composites at higher photon energy. Therefore, Polymethyl Methacrylate polymer doped with 20% Bi 2 O 3 should be considered for medical apron design and X-ray and gamma radiation shielding of special electronic installations where flexibility and high adhesion abilities are paramount considerations.