Shielding Properties of Epoxy Matrix Composites Reinforced with MgO Micro- and Nanoparticles

A comprehensive study of the shielding ability from ionizing radiation of different mortars using iron filings and bismuth oxide

The current work discusses the radiation attenuation capability and different shielding characteristics of different mortar samples. The samples were prepared by replacing different percentages of fine aggregate with iron filling and replacing different percentages of hydrated lime with Bi2O3 (0-50 wt.%). The prepared mortar samples are coded as CHBFX where X = 0, 10, 30, and 50 wt.%. The mass and linear attenuation coefficient was determined experimentally using a narrow beam technique, where a high purity germanium detector, and different point gamma-ray sources (such as Am-241, Cs-137, and Co-60). The linear attenuation coefficient was also calculated using the Monte-Carlo simulation code and the online Phy-X/PSD software. The comparison of the three methods showed a good agreement in the results. The linear attenuation coefficient drops from 19.821 to 0.053 cm-1 for CHBF0, from 27.496 to 0.057 cm-1 for CHBF10, from 42.351 to 0.064 cm-1 for CHBF30, and from 55.068 to 0.071 cm-1 for CHBF50 at photon energy range from 0.015 to 15 MeV. The half-value layer thickness, tenth-value layer thickness, and mean free path of the prepared mortar composites were also calculated photon energy ranged from 0.015 to 15 MeV. The fast neutron removal cross-section of the prepared CHBFX mortar samples have values of 0.096 cm-1, 0.098 cm-1, 0.103 cm-1, and 0.107 cm-1 for the mortar samples CHBF0, CHBF10, CHBF30, and CHBF50, respectively. The results showed that the mortar sample with the highest iron filing concentration, CHBF50, provides the best protection against gamma rays and fast neutrons which could be used in the nuclear and medical fields.

Grafting of heavy metal oxides onto pure polyester for the interest of enhancing radiation shielding performance

In the interest of obtaining new polyester, heavy metal oxides PbCO3, Bi2O3, and CdO with numerous ratios have been added to the polyester resin. Five samples of labeled PR-1, PR-2, PR-3, PR-4, and PR-5 were prepared for this study. The values of linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) of the new polyester samples were measured using an HPGe detector. In the interest of ensuring the experimental setup, the value of LAC obtained from the HPGe detector as well as the value of LAC calculated using Phy-X software, have both been placed in one graph, which revealed a consistent result. The experimental value of those new polyester samples has been measured within the energy region 0.06–1.332 MeV, whereas the theoretical values have been calculated within the energy limit of 0.015–15 MeV. The results of all the new polyester samples showed an uplifting trend according to the rising energy at 0.06, 0.66, 1.17, and 1.33 MeV. At energy 0.06 MeV, sample PR-5 (ρ = 2.180 g/cm3) showed the lowest half value layer (HVL) among the polyester samples. This result is due to the addition of Bi2O3 and CdO into the samples’ composition, increasing their density and enhancing the polyester’s reduction ability. Considering the measured shielding parameters studied herein, it has been found that sample PR-5 (50 wt% Polymer resin, 25 wt% Bi2O3, 25 wt% CdO) had the highest shielding ability compared with the rest of the polyester samples.

Effect of Kaolin Clay and ZnO-Nanoparticles on the Radiation Shielding Properties of Epoxy Resin Composites

The use of radiation is mandatory in modern life, but the harms of radiation cannot be avoided. To minimize the effect of radiation, protection is required for the safety of the environment and human life. Hence, inventing a better shield than a conventional shielding material is the priority of researchers. Due to this reason, this current research deals with an innovative shielding material named EKZ samples having a composition of (epoxy resin (90-40) wt %-kaolin clay (10-25) wt %-ZnO-nano particles (0-35) wt %). The numerous compositional variations of (epoxy resin, kaolin clay, and ZnO-nano particles on the prepared EKZ samples varied the density of the samples from 1.24 to 1.95 g/cm³. The radiation shielding parameter of linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL), and radiation protection efficiency (RPE) were measured to evaluate the radiation diffusion efficiency of newly made EKZ samples. These radiation shielding parameters were measured with the help of the HPGe detector utilizing the three-point sources (Am-241, Cs-137, and Co-60). The obtained results exposed that the value of linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) and radiation protection efficiency (RPE) was maximum, yet the value of half value layer (HVL), and tenth value layer (TVL), were minimum due to the greater amount of kaolin clay and ZnO-nanoparticles, whereas the amount of epoxy resin was lesser. In addition, it has been clear that as-prepared EKZ samples are suitable for low-dose shielding applications as well as EKZ-35 showed a better shielding ability.