MoO3 reinforced Ultra high molecular weight PE for neutrons shielding applications

Structural, Morphological and neutron attenuation properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with molybdenum trioxide composite material obtained by solid state mixing of pellets and powder components via hot pressing have been studied. In this work, Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and MoO3 has been utilized with different concentration using a hot compression iron mold. The changes in the microstructure of the prepared polymer and its particulate composites were evaluated by SEM. In order to investigate the quantitative of all elements used in these samples, we utilized Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to present the profiles of synthesized samples which show a clear peaks C (carbon), and Mo (Molybdenum). The X-ray diffraction of all samples was examined to study the modification of the phase and lattice for UHMWPE before and after the addition of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3). Raman analysis was utilized to explore the crystallinity, molecular interactions, phase, polymorphy, and chemical structure. This technique is based on non-destructive interaction between light with the chemical bonds inside a material. The Raman spectrum for the current work presented within the range of 150–1600 cm−1. In order to understand the neutron shielding performance for the fabricated UHMWPE with different concentrations of MoO3, 241Am/Be fast neutron source was used to determine the fast neutron radiation equivalent dose rate. The background absorbed dose rate was measured as 0.98 (±0.017) (μSv/h). It was seen that the addition of MoO3 into the UHMWPE enhances the neutron shielding. The dose released from the source was absorbed by 7.71 (±1.3) %, 18.48 (±2.9) %, 22.26 (±2.4) %, 24.07 (±1.8) % and 26.17 (±1.3) % from UHMWPE with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% of MoO3 respectively. Additionally, GEANT4 10.02. p01 version was used to calculate total macroscopic cross-sections (TMCS) for the MoO3 doped UHMWPE. According to the results obtained from GEANT4, it was observed that the TMCS values of the UHMWPE increase with increment of the mole fraction of the MoO3 in the structure of UHMWPE examined and that the 5.0% MoO3 sample has the best neutron shielding ability.”