Effect of CeO2 and Er2O3 Co-Doping on the Structural and Radiation Shielding Properties of Ceramics: An Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of co-doping CeO2 (cerium oxide) and Er2O3 (erbium oxide) on Al2Si2O5(OH)4-KAlSi3O8-SiO2 ceramics, fabricated via conventional firing and sintering, for photon and neutron shielding applications. Experimental measurements were performed using a133Ba source for gamma-ray shielding and a241Am/Be neutron source for neutron shielding. At 81 key gamma-ray energy, the radiation attenuation properties of C (undoped) and Ce15Er15 (co-doped, containing 15 % CeO2 and 15 % Er2O3) ceramics showed an increase in the mass attenuation coefficient from 0.186 to 1.309 cm2/g and in the linear attenuation coefficient from 0.421 to 3.667 cm-1, while the mean free path (mfp) decreased from 2.280 to 0.281 cm, indicating a clear compositional dependence. Theoretical calculations were carried out using the EpiXS program. Among the produced ceramics, the Ce25Er5 sample exhibited the highest neutron absorption rate, reaching 69.39 %. This work presents an innovative approach for co-doping CeO2 and Er2O3 for radiation shielding in ceramics; compared to single oxide doping, this double doping is seen to further enhance both gamma-ray and neutron shielding properties. These results demonstrate that CeO2-and Er2O3-doped ceramics are sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient alternatives for radiation protection in nuclear facilities, medical imaging, and space technologies.