Composite cellulose/Fe3O4/Cu for effective X-ray radiation shielding

In this study, a cellulose/Fe3O4/Cu composite was synthesized by the blending method and applied as an X-ray radiation apron. The content of Fe3O4 in each sample was 94 wt%, and the varying levels of cellulose and Cu were 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt%. The crystal phase formed in the sample was observed using X-ray diffraction, and the functional group formed was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The performance of the sample as a radiation shield was analyzed using X-ray mobile with energies of 50, 60, 70, 81, and 90 keV at 10 mAs applied to the sample. The results showed that the samples with composition of 2 wt% cellulose and 4 wt% Cu exhibited the best values for the average size of the smallest crystallite size (12.21 nm), low transmittance, linear attenuation coefficient (& mu;), mass attenuation coefficient (& mu;m), atomic cross-section (& sigma;a), electronic cross-section (& sigma;el), half value layer, and mean free path. Alterations observed on the surface of the composite mate-rial suggested the impact of incorporating metallic components into nonmetallic constituents. Surface analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscope and revealed that the surface model resembled Brassica oleracea. This feature is advantageous due to the large surface area and absorbent properties associated with such leaves.