This work discusses the preparation of Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR-1502)/Montmorillonite nanocomposites in presence of some metal oxides and their suitability as shielding materials for ionizing radiations. So, the goal of this work is finding novel materials that can be used as good γ-shielding materials at minimal cost. Four Composite types of radiation shielding sheets made from a combination of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR-1502) and montomorillonite in addition to one of the following oxides; Ferric(III) Oxide (Fe2O3), Zinc(II) Oxide (ZnO), Molybdenum(II) Oxide (MoO), and Titanium(II) Oxide (TiO), were demonstrated in this study. The microstructure of the composite samples was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). A comparison of gamma ray attenuation properties of the four studied types of shielding materials was done. The experimental results show that SBR with montmorillonite nanocomposite is better attenuating shielding for γ-ray than SBR shielding alone. The samples that treated with Molybdenum Oxide are the best attenuating shielding for γ-ray compared to the other investigated samples. The theoretical and the experimental calculations of attenuation coefficient were found to be in a good agreement. Thus, it is promising for application of polymer clay layered that treated with Molybdenum Oxide as a novel radiation protection material for γ- ray. So Montmorillonite SBR/MoO can be used in nuclear investigation centers and/or nuclear medicine departments as shielding materials at very low thickness to reduce the harmfulness and increase the economic feasibility.
