Lightweight composite materials for radiation shielding via electrospinning fabrication

This work focuses on the design and fabrication of innovative polymer-based radiation shields by using the electrospinning technique. A strategic architecture of the fibers is developed to enhance the radiation shielding properties of the composite material, and to preserve flexibility and adaptability to different surfaces. The polymer-based fibers are synthesized using a non-toxic solvent mixture, following a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach that avoids the use of conventional toxic solvents. The polymer concentration and solution formulation were optimized to ensure electrospinnability. The influence of electrospinning parameters (voltage, flow rate, and collector distance) on fiber morphology was systematically investigated. To explore potential improvements in shielding performance, high-Z lead-free fillers (Bi₂O₃, Gd₂O₃, and WO₃) were considered in simulation studies and theoretically evaluated for their photon attenuation efficiency when embedded in the polymer matrix. Photon attenuation properties were analyzed using the XCOM database across a wide energy range (0.001–10 MeV), relevant to space environments, including solar X-rays, solar gamma rays, and cosmic gamma radiation. Several experimental techniques were used to analyze the properties of the electrospun mats. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to investigate the chemical structure, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights into the microfiber morphology. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was carried out to evaluate the thermal properties of the electrospun fibers, also in consideration of the temperature fluctuations that are typically found during space exploration missions.