Fabrication PVA/cellulose/tungsten composite aprons for X-ray shielding: Structural, attenuation, and mechanical evaluation

Abstract

The increasing demand for lead-free radiation protection materials has driven the exploration of environmentally friendly alternatives with effective X-ray shielding performance. This study develops cellulose–tungsten hybrid composites by varying tungsten mass fractions to optimize attenuation efficiency and mechanical properties. The composites were fabricated using a microwave-assisted drying method and characterized through FTIR, XRD, mechanical testing, and X-ray attenuation analysis in the 60–80 keV range. FTIR confirmed cellulose’s functional groups alongside the incorporation of tungsten, while XRD revealed increased crystallinity and crystal size with higher tungsten content. The CHO/W-1.00 composition achieved the highest µ (0.61 cm −1 ), µ m (2.46 cm 2 ∙ g −1 ), and the lowest HVL and TVL, indicating superior shielding capability. Mechanically, CHO/W-0.75 exhibited the best balance of tensile strength (1.96 MPa) and elongation (10.26 %), highlighting the trade-off between stiffness and flexibility. These findings demonstrate that cellulose–tungsten composites offer a lightweight, non-toxic, and sustainable alternative as aprons with promising applications in industrial radiation protection.

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