Fig. 12.

Half-value layer (HVL) measured in cm of polymer nanocomposites:50% hematite/polystyrene, 50% lead oxide/high-density polyethylene, 20% zinc oxide /polyacrylamide (PAM), and 40% zinc oxide/high-density polyethylene compared to concrete. The characteristics of the radiation shield are used to determine their performance against gamma radiation. The incorporation of fillers into the polymer matrices improves the properties of these polymers and compensates for the drawbacks such as mechanical failure and cracks. The filler interacts with the polymer matrix by facilitating the interlocking mechanism of polymeric chains and thus increases the hardness of the composite (Rajendran et al. 2011). Also, the type, concentration, and size of filler are important parameters to be considered when synthesizing a polymer composite. The nanoparticles with their large surface-to-volume ratio are reactive fillers that can be dispersed easily within the matrix and form an interphase region between the surface of the particle and the matrix itself (Puglia and Kenny 2018)