Fabrication, structural, optical, and dielectric properties of PVC-PbO nanocomposites, as well as their gamma-ray shielding capability

Physical, linear optical, dielectric spectroscopy and photon shielding competence of fabricated PVC (polyvinyl chloride) doped with xPbO nanoparticles (x = 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 25 wt%) have been investigated. The density of PVC is increased from 1.4451 to 2.1014 g cm−3 by incorporation 25 wt% of PbO. The optical band gap (Egap) decreases from 5.14 to 4.54 eV for the direct transition and from 4.50 to 3.75 eV for the indirect transition as the concentration of PbO increases. Urbach energy (Eurbach) increased from 0.198 eV for the pure PVC sample to 0.673 eV for PVC loaded with 25 wt% of PbO. Refractive index (n) increased with the increase of PbO concentration. The less dielectric constant (ε′) values of all nanocomposites were obtained than that for pure PVC. Values of dielectric loss (tan δ) for all investigated samples decreases with increasing frequency up to 50 kHz and become constant for further frequency. Both linear (LAC) and mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) values of PVC were gradually increased by increase concentration of PbO while both half value layer (HVL) and relaxation length (RL) value were gradually decreased by increase concentration of PbO. Pure PVC with density (ρ = 1.4451 g cm−3) has neutron shielding characteristics better than that obtained for PVC/25 wt% PbO with higher density (ρ = 2.1014 g cm−3). The highest ∑R is 0.06252 cm2 g−1 for pure PVC, and the lowest is 0.05003 cm2 g−1 for PVC/25 wt% PbO, in contrast. Finally, the obtained results confirm that the fabricated PVC-PbO nanocomposites can be applied in optical, electronic, and radiation shielding applications. •PVC doped with xPbO nanocomposites have been fabricated.•Physical properties of the investigated nanocomposites have been studied.•Linear optical and dielectric spectroscopy were investigated.•Capacity of the fabricated nanocomposites has been evaluated.