Low-energy X-ray attenuation characteristics of Rhizophora spp. composites

Photon absorption parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients ( μ m ), molar extinction coefficients ( ε ), total molecular ( σ t , m ), atomic ( σ t , a ) and electronic ( σ t , el ) cross sections, half-value layers ( X 1 / 2 ) , tenth-value layers ( X 1 / 10 ), mean free paths ( λ ) , effective atomic numbers ( Z eff ), and effective electron densities ( N el ) were estimated for defatted soy flour (DSF), soy protein concentrate (SPC), and soy protein isolate (SPI)-based Rhizophora spp. particleboard composites substituted with 10 wt% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt% itaconic acid polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (IA-PAE) adhesives. Elemental composition was assessed using ultrahigh-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (UHR-FESEM-EDX). The interaction parameters were evaluated for K α 1 photons at 16.59, 17.46, 21.21, and 25.26 keV, employing a low-energy germanium (LEGe) detector system and an 241 Am γ -ray source. X-ray diffraction characterization revealed an amorphous phase in the developed particleboard composites. Samples DSF15′, SPC15′, and SPI15′ exhibited the highest values of μ m , ε , σ t , m , Z eff , and N el among all of the studied particleboard samples, within the range of measured photon energies. In addition, all of the modified samples exhibited lower X 1 / 2 , X 1 / 10 , λ , σ t , a , and σ t , el than the unmodified samples, with DSF-, SPC-, and SPI/NaOH/ Rhizophora spp./IA-PAE (15 wt%), indicating insignificant changes. The current results of the particleboard samples’ analysis can be useful for medical radiation applications and shielding research.