Evaluation of three different glassy composites (quinary matrix designed using Cr₂O₃/Na₂O/MnO₂) in respect of radiation shielding behaviors

Abstract

Novel multiple glassy composite materials were offered for gamma shielding applications, photovoltaic applications, nuclear engineering, etc. as an alternative to concrete and pure lead. Studied glassy composite materials demonstrated better gamma-ray shielding than ordinary glass and concrete in the 15 keV–15 MeV energy range. The multiple composites were prepared with (xA + 0.11B + 0.02C + (0.87− x)[(1 − y)D1 + yD2] = 1) recipe. BXCOM software was used to calculate exposure buildup factors (EBFs), energy absorption buildup factors (EABFs), and effective atomic numbers (Z_eff). Monte Carlo simulations were performed via MCNP 6.2 code to evaluate the important shielding factors like mass attenuation coefficients (µ_m), half-value layers (HVLs) and compared with XCOM results. The quinary composites were compared in each step with each other to determine which component is better for radiation shielding [(Cr₂O₃/Na₂O/MnO₂), Sb₂O₃, B₂O₃, V₂O₅, and Fe₂O₃]. From the investigated ratios, Cr₂O₃ and MnO₂ at 85%, and Na₂O at 70% were evaluated to be the best ratios to reduce radiation dose in the incident energy range. Also, Fe₂O₃ addition at 10% enhanced shielding ability. According to the simulation results, the quinary MnO₂ composite (MnO₂/Sb₂O₃/B₂O₃/V₂O₅/Fe₂O₃) was determined to have the best shielding property among all the studied composites. A gamma spectroscopy system with NaI(Tl) detector was used to determine the shielding properties of this best material, experimentally. All the studied composites indicate better gamma shielding properties than concrete, some of them are approaching pure lead.

KEYWORDS:

• Buildup factors
• Cr₂O₃
• MnO₂
• Na₂O
• Monte Carlo simulation
• radiation shielding

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ozan Toker

Ozan Toker is a Research Assistant of Nuclear Physics at the Physics Department of Yildiz Technical University, Turkey. He is specialist in Monte Carlo methods, radiation matter interactions and composite preparation.

Bayram Bilmez

Bayram Bilmez is a Research Assistant at the Physics Department of Ondokuz Mayis University, Turkey. He studies about the nuclear physics simulations and radiation shielding materials.

Melis Ö. Toker

Melis Ö. Toker is a PhD student at the Physics Department of Yildiz Technical University, Turkey. She is a specialist in sample preparations and radiation measurements.

H. Birtan Kavanoz

H. Birtan Kavanoz is an Associate Professor at the Atomic and Molecular Physics Department of Yildiz Technical University, Turkey. He studies about computational matter physics and numerical analysis.

Özgür Akçalı

Özgür Akçalı is a Post PhD in Nuclear Physics Department of Yildiz Technical University, Turkey. He is specialist in Monte Carlo methods, software and nuclear reactions.

Mehmet Yılmaz

Mehmet Yılmaz is a Post PhD in Physics Department of Yildiz Technical University, Turkey. He is specialist in condensed matter physics and numerical analysis.

Orhan İçelli

Orhan İçelli is a Professor in Physics Department of Yildiz Technical University, Turkey. He is the head of the Nuclear Physics Department. He is specialist in experimental methods of nuclear physics.