Preparation and assessment of nanocomposites based on natural rubber latex reinforced with multiwall carbon nanotubes for Gamma rays shielding applications

Abstract

Reinforcement of the flexible shielding properties of natural rubber (NRL) was achieved through various content Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) prepared from a simple solution using mixing method. We reported the structure change of NRL upon addaing different contenets of MWCNTs. The results from the X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the nanocomposites have been successfully prepared, making them fitting to impact significant improvement on the mechanical strength of the matrix. The frequency dependence of the dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity of the NRL/MWCNTs nanocomposites at room temperature under different nanotube loading conditions were invistgated. The radiation shielding characteristics such as the linear attenuation coefficients (l) and half-value thickness for NRL/MWCNTs nanocomposite films were presented.Thus, from the obtained results, it can be concluded that nanocomposite films offer promising radiation-shielding properties.