Rubber-Based Flexible Polymer Composite for Radiation Protection with Rare Earth Metal Oxides

Inorganic Materials: Applied Research. 2026. Vol. 17. No. 5. P. 1247–1257.

Cherkashina N. I., Pavlenko V. I., Bondarenko G.G., Sidelnikov R. V.

The description is given to the synthesis of a flexible polymer composite for radiation protection
based on a rubber matrix and rare-earth metal oxides (Dy2O3 and Gd2O3). The physico-mechanical parameters
are established for the compositions with dysprosium oxide as follows: the density ranging from 1.31 to
2.44 g/cm3, tensile strength is staying between 6.06 and 1.72 MPa. In contrast, compositions with gadolinium
oxide have a density of 1.27–2.40 g/cm3, tensile strength being 5.81–0.93 MPa. The microstructure of the
composite surface and cross-section is examined in detail revealing uniform filler distribution. However, adding
gadolinium oxide promotes forming agglomerates up to 50 μm in size. Based on experimental data
obtained after exposing composite samples to gamma radiation with energies E(207Bi) = 0.570 MeV;
E(137Cs) = 0.662 MeV; E(60Co) = 1.252 MeV), the linear attenuation coefficients (0.251; 0.235; 0.201 cm–1
for KDy60 and 0.226; 0.214; 0.176 cm–1 for KGd60) and mass attenuation coefficients (0.102; 0.096; 0.082 cm2/g
for KDy60 and 0.094; 0.089; 0.073 cm2/g for KGd60) are calculated. Increasing the filler content enhances
radiation-shielding properties, with dysprosium oxide compositions demonstrating superior efficiency.

Keywords: синтез, synthesis, полимерный композит, radiation protection, радиационная защита, polymer composite