Multifunctional composites silicone rubber/paraffin@lead tungstate with different core/shell ratio for thermal regulation and gamma shielding

Multifunctional, high-comfort flexible radiation protection materials are highly desired for future human health-related applications but generally hindered due to the single function, poor heat dissipation performance. Herein, a new type of flexible radiation protection shielding materials with thermal regulation function was prepared with silicone rubber (SR) as matrix and paraffin(Pn)@lead tungstate(PWO) phase change microcapsules as fillers. The effect of different core/shell ratio of microcapsules on the properties of flexible radiation protection shielding materials was discussed. The obtained flexible radiation protection material not only shows high latent heat storage capacity, but also includes excellent phase change reversibility and long-term durability. Through the programmed DSC scanning, the thermal charging and discharging behavior of the composites in the thermal management process was optimized. The thermal regulation experiment of the composites show a good temperature regulation ability. Compared with SR, the mechanical properties and gamma ray shielding ability of SR/(Pn@PWO) composites are greatly improved, and the enhancement effect is more obvious with core/shell ratio of the microcapsules decreases. The gamma ray shielding ability of SR/(Pn@PWO) composites is 144.05% higher than that of SR. This work provides a new perspective for the design and development of high comfort radiation protection products, and broadens the application prospects of radiation protection materials.