Construction of radiation attenuating polymeric nanocomposites and multifaceted applications: a review

ABSTRACT

The effects of radiation have been detrimental to human health, electronics, and environment, as the incremental application of radioactively affiliated substrates has escalated radioactive hazards thereby increasing the quests for the construction of engineered materials capable of mitigating the adverse effects of radiation hazards. In recent decades, due to the advent of nanotechnology, polymeric nanocomposites reinforced with a versatile range of nanoparticulates have demonstrated high prospects for radiation attenuation attributable to their inherently enhanced radiation attenuation properties. Hence, this paper presents recently emerging progresses in the construction of polymeric materials and nanocomposites for attenuating radiation hazards.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Nanoreinforcements
• polymeric nanocomposites
• radiation attenuation

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Nigeria and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), through the TETFund National Research Fund (NRF) Intervention under 7th Batch (2020).

Notes on contributors

Ugochukwu Chucks Okonkwo

Professor Chucks Ugo Okonkwo is a Professor withthe Department of Mechanical Engineering and Postgraduate Sub-Dean of Faculty of Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Christopher Igwe Idumah

Engr. Dr. Christopher Igwe Idumah holds Ph.D in Polymer Engineering from Universit Teknologi Malaysia, M.Sc. from The Manchester University, Englands, UK and B.Eng. from FUTO, Nigeria. He was trained for SPDC Nigeria by Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. He is currently a Lecturer with the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Polymer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. He has been ranked amongst Word Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, USA (2020, 2021, 2022).

Christian Emeka Okafor

Professor Emeka Okafor is with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Emmanuel Obumneme Ezeani

Engr. Dr. Ezeani Emmanuel Obumneme is a Lecturer with the Depatment of Polymer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.