UHMWPE/nanoparticle composite membrane for personal radiation shielding.

Cellulose nanofiber templated Bi nanoparticles (CNF/nBi) were used as X-ray shielding additives for preparing UHMWPE porous membrane via the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method, which overcomes the defects of lacking air and water vapor permeability in current apron. CNF was synthesized by the TEMPO-oxidized method, and carboxylate groups were introduced on its surface, so Bi3+ could be bonded to the surface of CNF, and then reduced to Bi nanoparticles with a diameter of 4.4 nm. CNF/nBi were dispersed into decalin with the help of cationic surfactant CTAB, then the preweighed components (CNF/nBi, UHMWPE, decalin) passed through a twin-excluder. After that, UHMWPE/PM/CNF/nBi composite membranes were obtained by compressing the extrudate with a piece of polyester mesh (PM). The porous membranes have a good air and water vapor permeability as well as mechanical strength compared with Tyvek. The composite membranes also have a good shielding property for X-ray photon energy below 33 keV. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]