Development of multilayered polymer-BaSO4 composites for flexible and efficient lead-free X-ray shielding

Abstract The widespread use of toxic lead in radiation shielding materials poses serious environmental and health concerns, necessitating the development of safer alternatives. This study addresses this challenge by developing innovative multilayered polymer composites as eco-friendly, lead-free materials for X-ray attenuation. Gelatin-BaSO₄ dual composite coatings were applied to polyester and cotton fabrics using the pad-dry method to create lightweight and flexible shielding materials. In methodology, the effects of BaSO₄ concentration (40–60%), coating layers (1–5), and low-energy X-rays (up to 60 keV) on attenuation efficiency were systematically examined. The results revealed that FTIR analysis confirmed physical interactions between gelatin and BaSO₄, while SEM micrographs showed uniform dispersion of BaSO₄ within the polymer matrix. Additionally, increasing BaSO₄ content and layer number markedly enhanced X-ray shielding performance, with a five-layer coating containing 60% w/w BaSO₄ achieving 84.73% attenuation at 60 keV. TGA results indicated that higher BaSO₄ loadings improved thermal stability, elevating decomposition temperatures to 498 °C. The coatings also exhibited hydrophobicity and retained adequate flexibility despite a slight reduction in tensile strength. In conclusion, these findings elucidate that BaSO₄-based multilayer composites offer a sustainable, efficient, and lead-free solution for radiation protection in medical, industrial, and nuclear applications.