Eco-friendly nanocomposites designed for gamma-ray shielding were developed by incorporating nano-magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4 NPs) within low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This approach aims to create a lead-free, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable shielding material. The LDPE nanocomposite was prepared using a melt blending technique. The incorporation of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles improved the radiation attenuation capabilities of the polymer matrix, offering a safer alternative to the traditional lead-based shields. The influence of MgFe2O4 NPs integration and gamma irradiation on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of LDPE/MgFe2O4 nanocomposites was systematically investigated. MgFe2O4 NPs were synthesized using the co-precipitation method and confirmed to have single-phase nanocrystalline spinel structures by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The results revealed that the optimal filler content was 15 wt% MgFe2O4 NPs, which improved the tensile strength (TS) from 7.55 MPa to 10.42 MPa (about 38% enhancement). The LDPE nanocomposite containing 15 wt% of NPs that was exposed to 100 kGy had the highest TS value (11.8 MPa), with an improvement of 56% compared with that of the unirradiated LDPE nanocomposite. The addition of MgFe2O4 enhanced the shielding performance of LDPE against gamma radiation, as indicated by the higher attenuation coefficients, lower half-value layer (HVL), and minimum mean free path (MFP). Increasing MgFe2O4 content, decreasing photon energy, and applying irradiation all contribute to enhancing the attenuation performance of LDPE nanocomposites. Furthermore, the incorporation of MgFe2O4 improved the thermal properties of the nanocomposites. TGA analysis showed that both gamma irradiation and MgFe2O4 addition enhanced the thermal stability of the LDPE. Among all samples, LDPE15-r100 exhibited the best performance, showing the highest degradation onset temperature (415.16 °C), the highest T50 (465.30 °C), and the largest residual mass at 600 °C (11.81%). These findings confirm that LDPE/MgFe2O4 nanocomposites are promising candidates for eco-friendly gamma-ray shielding applications, particularly when irradiated.

Tailoring the Surface morphology, Mechanical, Thermal, and Radiation Shielding Properties of Polyethylene Nanocomposites via Nano-Magnesium Ferrite and Gamma Radiation

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年4月16日

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Soma A. El Mogy,
Wageeh Ramadan,
M. M. El-Zayat

摘要

Eco-friendly nanocomposites designed for gamma-ray shielding were developed by incorporating nano-magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄ NPs) within low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This approach aims to create a lead-free, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable shielding material. The LDPE nanocomposite was prepared using a melt blending technique. The incorporation of MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles improved the radiation attenuation capabilities of the polymer matrix, offering a safer alternative to the traditional lead-based shields. The influence of MgFe₂O₄ NPs integration and gamma irradiation on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of LDPE/MgFe₂O₄ nanocomposites was systematically investigated. MgFe₂O₄ NPs were synthesized using the co-precipitation method and confirmed to have single-phase nanocrystalline spinel structures by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The results revealed that the optimal filler content was 15 wt% MgFe₂O₄ NPs, which improved the tensile strength (TS) from 7.55 MPa to 10.42 MPa (about 38% enhancement). The LDPE nanocomposite containing 15 wt% of NPs that was exposed to 100 kGy had the highest TS value (11.8 MPa), with an improvement of 56% compared with that of the unirradiated LDPE nanocomposite. The addition of MgFe₂O₄ enhanced the shielding performance of LDPE against gamma radiation, as indicated by the higher attenuation coefficients, lower half-value layer (HVL), and minimum mean free path (MFP). Increasing MgFe₂O₄ content, decreasing photon energy, and applying irradiation all contribute to enhancing the attenuation performance of LDPE nanocomposites. Furthermore, the incorporation of MgFe₂O₄ improved the thermal properties of the nanocomposites. TGA analysis showed that both gamma irradiation and MgFe₂O₄ addition enhanced the thermal stability of the LDPE. Among all samples, LDPE15-r100 exhibited the best performance, showing the highest degradation onset temperature (415.16 °C), the highest T50 (465.30 °C), and the largest residual mass at 600 °C (11.81%). These findings confirm that LDPE/MgFe₂O₄ nanocomposites are promising candidates for eco-friendly gamma-ray shielding applications, particularly when irradiated.