Evaluation of the gamma radiation shielding characteristics of epoxy wall paint modified with micro sized Bi2O3 and WO3

Because of the enormous penetrating capacity of gamma-ray photons owing to their short wavelength, modern human life cannot be imagined without radiation. As a result, radiation shielding is crucial for reducing radiation's detrimental effects. In this study, the gamma radiation shielding characteristics of wall paint samples containing variable quantities of micro sized Bi2O3/WO3 (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%) were experimentally investigated by using NaI (TI) scintillation detector, at various energies radiated by several radioisotopes of 214Am, 137Cs, 60Co, and 22Na. At various energy levels, the shielding qualities were examined in terms of linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), mean-free path (MFP), and effective atomic number (Zeff). Furthermore, theoretically shielding parameters were compared by utilizing the Phy-X/PSD software programs and it was discovered that the experimental values have a good level of agreement. According to theoretical calculations, Bi2O3 improved the attenuation parameters at all photon energies as compared with WO3 compositions. As a result, the authors concluded that the composition of the paint samples with Bi2O3 and WO3 had a significant impact on the attenuation capabilities, and that this may be employed effectively in gamma ray shielding applications.