High-dose gamma irradiation effects on HDPE/SiO2 nanocomposite films: Structure, crystallinity, defects, radiation endurance, dispersion, and interfacial behavior
Nabiyev A.A. Ivankov O.I. Azhibekov A.K. Elmekawy A.H.A. Popov E. Samadov S.F. Trung N.V.M. Mutali A.K. Sidorin A.A. Orlov O.S. Kuklin A.I.
March 2026Elsevier Ltd
Polymer Degradation and Stability
2026#245
This paper presents the findings of a study on the effects of gamma radiation on the structural and thermal characteristics of high-density polyethylene nanocomposite films. These thin films consist of a combination of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and nano-SiO2 particles prepared by hydrostatic thermal pressing a mixture of HDPE powder and nano-SiO2 in various volume concentrations (ω = 1 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 20 %). Radiation-induced defects and microstructural changes in HDPE nanocomposite films containing embedded nano-SiO2 particles were investigated under high-dose gamma irradiation (100–500 kGy). DBAS analysis revealed that SiO2 nanoparticles effectively suppress radiation-induced defect formation and positronium formation across most doses through void-filling and interfacial positron trapping mechanisms. Defect evolution showed a transition from chain scission-dominated behavior (increasing defects up to 300 kGy) to crosslinking dominance at 500 kGy, with SiO2 significantly mitigating both processes. However, at the critical dose of 300 kGy, where crystallinity (66.2 %) and structural reorganization peak, anomalous defect behavior was observed for 1 % and 20 % SiO2 loadings, attributed to insufficient structural constraint and interfacial stress concentration, respectively. Electron momentum distribution (EMD) analysis confirmed carbonyl group (C = O) formation during oxidative degradation. Optimal radiation resistance was achieved with 5–10 vol% SiO2 at doses up to 300 kGy, consistent with SAXS and WAXS findings. These results provide fundamental insights into radiation resistance mechanisms and support the design of HDPE/SiO2 nanocomposites for use in high-dose radiation environments.
Crystallinity , Defects and interfaces , Gamma irradiation , HDPE nanocomposites , Lamellar crystal thickness , Positron annihilation spectroscopy , SiO2 nanoparticles
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Ministry of Science and Education Republic of Azerbaijan, Institute of Radiation Problems, Baku, AZ1143, Azerbaijan
International Intergovernmental Organization, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, 141980, Russian Federation
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, 120014, Kazakhstan
Experimental Nuclear Physics Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, 13759, Egypt
Institute of Catalysis, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria
Western Caspian University, Baku, AZ1001, Azerbaijan
Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam
Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, 050032, Kazakhstan
Ministry of Science and Education Republic of Azerbaijan
International Intergovernmental Organization
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University
Experimental Nuclear Physics Department
Institute of Catalysis
Western Caspian University
Institute of Physics
Institute of Nuclear Physics
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