Radiation-induced degradation in the properties of pristine anddouble-walled carbon nanotube-enhancedpoly (2,5-benzimidazole) polymers for radiation shielding in the LEO
| dc.contributor.author | Oryema, Bosco | |
| dc.contributor.author | Square, Lynndle | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ellis, Ernst | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-10-17T13:06:15Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-10-17T13:06:15Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-09-01 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Degradation in the properties of polymer-based materials in space environments is a critical challenge for developing lightweight radiation shielding solutions. In this paper, a comparative study of the impacts of helium ion (He+) irradiation one of the ion species in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment on the structural and optical properties of pristine and 1.0 wt% double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT)-enhanced poly(2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI) polymers for LEO radiation shielding applications was conducted. The two polymer categories were separately chemically prepared in the laboratory, moulded, dried, and cut into 1 cm × 1 cm pieces, and bombarded with 0.35 MeV He+ ions at varying fluences. The Ultraviolet–Visible-Near-Infrared (UV–Vis-NIR) optical analyses of the polymers following the ion bombardment revealed that He+ irradiation considerably raises the Urbach energy and decreases the optical bandgap, indicating a rise in electronic defects and structural disorder. On the other hand, the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed higher levels of structural degradation in the pristine ABPBI samples, suggesting changes brought about by irradiation-induced oxidation and chain scission processes. In contrast, the 1.0 wt% DWCNT-ABPBI composite demonstrated improved optical and structural integrity, retention, and resistance to He+ ion-induced damage. According to the results, 1.0 wt% DWCNT reinforcement reduces radiation-induced deterioration and offers more protection from energetic ion exposure in the LEO settings. Thus, this work highlights the distinct impact of He+ ion interactions with ABPBI and the effectiveness of DWCNT inclusion in improving polymer resilience, and it contributes to the fundamental understanding of the polymer composite for radiation shielding applications. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Funding was received from NRF through the Thuthuka Fund [UID No. 138417] | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Oryema, B., Square, L., & Ellis, E. (2025). Radiation-induced degradation in the properties of pristine anddouble-walled carbon nanotube-enhancedpoly (2,5-benzimidazole) polymers for radiation shielding in the LEO. Advances in Space Research, 76(9): 5406-5418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2025.08.065 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 0273-1177 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/785 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Elsevier | |
| dc.subject | Structural properties | |
| dc.subject | Poly - 2 | |
| dc.subject | 5-benzimidazole | |
| dc.subject | Optical properties | |
| dc.subject | Low Earth Orbit | |
| dc.subject | Radiation-shielding polymers | |
| dc.subject | Polymer degradation | |
| dc.title | Radiation-induced degradation in the properties of pristine anddouble-walled carbon nanotube-enhancedpoly (2,5-benzimidazole) polymers for radiation shielding in the LEO | |
| dc.type | Article |