Yu, L.Yap, P.L.Santos, A.Tran, D.Losic, D.2021-09-052021-09-052021ACS Applied Nano Materials, 2021; 4(7):7471-74782574-09702574-0970http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131843Constant exposure to ionizing radiation such as X-rays can be hazardous to human health. Conventional lead (Pb)-based shielding materials are limited by their heaviness and toxicity, and thus, it is imperative to explore lightweight, non-Pb, and promising X-ray protection materials. This work demonstrates the synthesis of bismuth titanate (BTO) particles by a ball-milling process to create a new Pb-free shielding composite using BTO particles with different mass loadings (0–65 wt %) mixed in an epoxy resin (ER) matrix. The surface roughness and hardness properties of the developed BTO-ER composites are investigated to understand their X-ray attenuation ability. The X-ray shielding performance of the prepared BTO-ER composites unveils that the BTO-ER composite with a thickness of ∼2 mm achieves the best X-ray attenuation efficiencies of ∼97 and 95% at 80 and 100 kVp, respectively. The shielding ability of the BTO-ER composite (total weight of 2.2 ± 0.1 g) provides a 0.35 mm Pb equivalent attenuation at the same X-ray energy range, with only half of the weight relative to the 0.35 mm Pb sheet (4.19 g). The outcomes highlight a promising potential for the BTO-based material as a Pb-free X-ray protective material to replace the conventional toxic Pb in designing a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly diagnostic X-ray protection garment, which also complies with international radiation protection standards.en© 2021 American Chemical SocietyBismuth titanate (BTO); epoxy composite; diagnostic X-ray attenuation; Pb-free shielding material; metal oxideJournal article100004526410.1021/acsanm.1c014750006775829000972-s2.0-85111473392583622Yu, L. [0000-0001-6354-1240]Yap, P.L. [0000-0001-7346-8139]Santos, A. [0000-0001-8482-6982]Tran, D. [0000-0002-4023-3373]Losic, D. [0000-0002-1930-072X]