Nanocomposites and nanomaterials

Nanocomposite structures for radiation sensing and shielding
I. Karbovnyk1,2, H. Klym2, D. Chalyy3, I. Zhydenko3, D. Lukashevych2
1Department of Electronics and Computer Technologies, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, 107, Tarnavskogo Str., Lviv-79000, Ukraine
E-mail: ivan_karbovnyk@yahoo.com
2Department of Specialized Computer Systems,
Lviv Polytechnic National University, 12, Bandera Str., Lviv-79013, Ukraine
3Lviv State University of Life Safety, 35, Kleparivska Str., Lviv-79000, Ukraine 

It has been demonstrated that composites reinforced with Boron, Nitrogen or Carbon elements in the form nanostructures dispersed in a matrix can provide radiation shielding for different range of energies and without the generation of harmful secondary particles. On the other hand, polymers reinforced with carbon nanotubes exhibit electrical response, strongly dependent on the absorbed dosage of radiation [1]. 
We are proposing to study radiation-shielding nanocomposites that will not have a stand-out performance as barrier materials but will incorporate an inbuilt sensor that can be used for protecting the inside from gamma harsh radiation. 
The structure comprises electrical sensing layer, shielding layer made of epoxy/boron nanoparticles composite and, ultimately, a critical irradiation level indicator. This indicator is essentially CNT-doped epoxy resin plate that exhibits a percolation effect.
 The un-irradiated plate can be conductive or not, depending on the CNT doping level. If the level is above the threshold, the current is flowing across the plate, but that the conductive path can be destroyed by high enough dosage of radiation. Thus, one has a simple circuit breaker that will immediately signal about critical exposure, in case the protection layer can no longer stop the incoming rays. Experimental and theoretical studies of such structures will be discussed.

1.	Karbovnyk I., Olenych I., Aksimentyeva O., Klym H., Dzendzelyuk O., Olenych Y., Hrushetska O. Effect of radiation on the electrical properties of PEDOT-based nanocomposites // Nanoscale research letters, 2016, 11(1), 1-5.