Tailoring the Surface Morphology, Mechanical, Thermal, and Radiation Shielding Properties of Polyethylene Nanocomposites <italic style="font-style: italic">via</italic> Nano-magnesium Ferrite and Gamma Radiation

Soma A. El Mogy; Wageeh Ramadan; M. M. EL-Zayat

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3613-x

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Tailoring the Surface Morphology, Mechanical, Thermal, and Radiation Shielding Properties of Polyethylene Nanocomposites via Nano-magnesium Ferrite and Gamma Radiation

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-05-30

- Tailoring the Surface Morphology, Mechanical, Thermal, and Radiation Shielding Properties of Polyethylene Nanocomposites via Nano-magnesium Ferrite and Gamma Radiation
  Enhanced Publication
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 6, Pages: 1855-1867(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Materials Testing and Surface Chemical Analysis Lab, National Institute of Standards (NIS), Giza 12211, Egypt
  b.Radiation Protection and Safety Department, Hot Laboratories and Waste Management Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo 11787, Egypt
  c.Radiation Chemistry Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo 11787, Egypt
- Author bio：
  
  soma.elmogy@yahoo.com, soma.elmogy@nis.sci.eg (S.A.E)
  memo.faraway2@gmail.com (M.M.E.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3613-x
  CLC：
- Received：23 October 2025，
  
  Revised：2026-01-09，
  
  Accepted：04 February 2026，
  
  Online First：16 April 2026，
  
  Published：05 June 2026
- Accepted：
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El Mogy, S. A.; Ramadan, W.; EL-Zayat, M. M. Tailoring the surface morphology, mechanical, thermal, and radiation shielding properties of polyethylene nanocomposites via nano-magnesium ferrite and gamma radiation. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 1855–1867

Soma A. El Mogy, Wageeh Ramadan, M. M. EL-Zayat. Tailoring the Surface Morphology, Mechanical, Thermal, and Radiation Shielding Properties of Polyethylene Nanocomposites via Nano-magnesium Ferrite and Gamma Radiation[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(6): 1855-1867. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-026-3613-x.
El Mogy, S. A.; Ramadan, W.; EL-Zayat, M. M. Tailoring the surface morphology, mechanical, thermal, and radiation shielding properties of polyethylene nanocomposites via nano-magnesium ferrite and gamma radiation. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 1855–1867 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3613-x.

Soma A. El Mogy, Wageeh Ramadan, M. M. EL-Zayat. Tailoring the Surface Morphology, Mechanical, Thermal, and Radiation Shielding Properties of Polyethylene Nanocomposites via Nano-magnesium Ferrite and Gamma Radiation[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(6): 1855-1867. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-026-3613-x. DOI：

摘要

This study develops lead-free low-density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites reinforced with MgFe

nanoparticles

offering promising eco-friendly solutions for gamma-ray shielding

especially under irradiation conditions.

Abstract

Eco-friendly nanocomposites designed for gamma-ray shielding were developed by incorporating nano-magnesium ferrite (MgFe

NPs) within low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This approach aims to create a lead-free

cost-effective

and environmentally sustainable shielding material. The LDPE nanocomposite was prepared using a melt blending technique. The incorporation of MgFe

nanoparticles improved the radiation attenuation capabilities of the polymer matrix

offering a safer alternative to the traditional lead-based shields. The influence of MgFe

NPs integration and gamma irradiation on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of LDPE/MgFe

nanocomposites was systematically investigated. MgFe

NPs were synthesized using the co-precipitation method and c

onfirmed to have single-phase nanocrystalline spinel structures by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The results revealed that the optimal filler content was 15 wt% MgFe

NPs

which improved the tensile strength (TS) from 7.55 MPa to 10.42 MPa (about 38% enhancement). The LDPE nanocomposite containing 15 wt% of NPs that was exposed to 100 kGy had the highest TS value (11.8 MPa)

with an improvement of 56% compared with that of the unirradiated LDPE nanocomposite. The addition of MgFe

enhanced the shielding performance of LDPE against gamma radiation

as indicated by the higher attenuation coefficients

lower half-value layer (HVL)

and minimum mean free path (MFP). Increasing MgFe

content

decreasing photon energy

and applying irradiation all contribute to enhancing the attenuation performance of LDPE nanocomposites. Furthermore

the incorporation of MgFe

improved the thermal properties of the nanocomposites. TGA analysis showed that both gamma irradiation and MgFe

addition enhanced the thermal stability of the LDPE. Among all samples

LDPE15-r100 exhibited the best performance

showing the highest degradation onset temperature (415.16 °C)

the highest T50 (465.30 °C)

and the largest residual mass at 600 °C (11.81%). These findings confirm that LDPE/MgFe

nanocomposites are promising candidates for eco-friendly gamma-ray shielding applications

particularly when irradiated.

关键词

Keywords

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Tailoring the Surface Morphology, Mechanical, Thermal, and Radiation Shielding Properties of Polyethylene Nanocomposites via Nano-magnesium Ferrite and Gamma Radiation

DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3613-x

摘要

Abstract

关键词

Keywords

references