Development of Green BaCO ₃ /White Teak Wood Sandwich Composites for Effective X‐Ray and Gamma‐Radiation Shielding

ABSTRACT Pb‐based shielding has long‐term environmental impacts and poses health risks, but developing effective, green, radiation‐absorbing materials remains challenging. This study offers a novel alternative by combining BaCO ₃ and white teak wood ( Gmelina arborea ) in designing a lightweight, Pb‐free sandwich composite structure. This composite is prepared by altering the content of BaCO ₃ within the core layer placed between outer layers of white teak wood. The BaCO ₃ /white teak wood composite core layer is also fabricated with variations in the number of layers to evaluate its attenuation capacity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction respectively confirm the presence of the carbonate phase via bands at ~850–860 cm ⁻¹ and strong diffraction peaks at 2θ ≈ 45° and 65°. Scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analyses indicate that the concentration of BaCO ₃ decreases as the wood fraction increases. The composite with 30% BaCO ₃ and three core layers exhibits the optimal performance, with respective attenuation coefficients of 0.26–0.34 and 0.018 cm ⁻¹ for X‐ray and gamma radiation. These findings indicate the potential of BaCO ₃ /teak wood composites as effective, green, sustainable radiation‐shielding materials.