Particle size and concentration effects on low energy X-ray attenuation in nanostructure and microstructure materials

The effects of microsize and nanosize particles in composite structures as well as the incident radiation energy on X-ray attenuation is the focus of this study. To examine these effects, composite samples with different particle sizes of Al2O3 and with different thicknesses were prepared. Characteristic X-rays are applied as monochromatic X-rays and measurements were performed using an X-ray tube with a secondary excitation source instead of radioisotopes. In order to improve the efficiency and minimize the background effects a special detection system was designed and prepared. The linear attenuation coefficients of these samples are measured for X-ray photo energies of 6.40-28.49 keV. The results show that these low energy X-ray beams are more attenuated by nano-structured material compared to the micro-structured one.