A lead-free alternative for gamma-ray shielding: Newly developed BiVO₄-doped polyaniline composites

This study investigated lead-free newly produced polyaniline composites, doped with different concentrations of bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) (10–20 wt%) without disrupting the polyaniline structure, and explored the potential of these composites as an effective gamma-ray shielding material for the first time. Linear and mass attenuation coefficients (LAC, MAC), half- and tenth-value layers (HVL, TVL), mean free paths (MFP), and radiation shielding efficiencies of composites at low and medium gamma-ray energies were analyzed experimentally. It was observed that with increasing BiVO₄ concentration, MAC and LAC values increased at different ratios, and HVL, TVL and MFP values decreased at different ratios, for gamma rays with different energies. An increase in BiVO₄ concentration led to a substantial enhancement in the LAC, rising from 0.14 to 0.75 cm⁻¹ at low gamma-ray energy (59.5 keV). In contrast, only a slight increase in the LAC was observed at medium gamma-ray energy (662 keV). Moreover, HVL decreased by approximately 81 % at 59.5 keV and by 25 % at 662 keV. The composite with 20 wt% BiVO₄ sample was the best gamma-ray attenuator among all produced composites. Overall, this research highlights the potential of BiVO₄-doped polymer composites as efficient and promising materials for shielding low and medium energy gamma-rays in various fields, including industrial and medical radiation facilities, offering a hopeful outlook for the future of radiation protection.