Synthesis and characterisation of lead-magnesium-boron nanocomposite for radiation shielding application

There is a need for the replacement of toxic lead with nontoxic materials in radiation shielding applications. Instead of pure lead, lead mixed compounds/mixtures/alloys are considered to be less toxic and hence preferred for radiation shielding purposes. The compounds with magnesium are said to be having good magnetic and mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the boron element avoids secondary radiation and absorbs neutrons. The compound which is a mixture of lead, magnesium and boron is expected to be a good shielding material for radiation for X-rays/gamma rays. Hence in the present study, we have synthesised the lead-magnesium-boron (LMB) nanocomposites (NCs) using the green synthesis approach for the first time. LMB is synthesised by solution combustion method using Aloe vera as a reducing agent. The synthesised NCs are characterised using well-known characterisation techniques. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of multi-phase LMB NCs, and average crystal size is found to be 13-15 nm. Surface morphology and chemical composition are affirmed by SEM and EDX. The optical energy gap is found to be 1.87 eV. FTIR confirmed the functional groups. X-rays/gamma rays, neutrons and Bremsstrahlung radiation shielding efficiency are measured by experimental and theoretical, compared with conventional shielding materials. LMB NCs have proved to be efficient. Hence, LMB NCs proved to be potential in X-rays/gamma rays, neutrons and Bremsstrahlung radiation shielding. (authors)