Structural and Photon/Neutron Attenuation Features of Pbni/Cnt Nanocomposites: an Experimental Approach

Abstract

In this work, PbNi/CNT nanocomposites were prepared by sodium borohydride method at varying metallic molar ratios for determination of their structural and nuclear radiation shielding properties. As-prepared PbNi/CNTs were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), elemental mapping, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Average particle sizes of Pb40Ni60/CNT, Pb60Ni40/CNT, Pb80Ni20/CNT, and Pb20Ni80/CNT materials were obtained as 5.6, 3.8, 4.2, and 4.2 nm, respectively. Radiation attenuation properties of the produced nanocomposites were investi-gated experimentally by irradiating the samples with gamma photons in the 34-383 keV energy range. The accuracy of the experimental results was checked with outcomes calculated with EpiXS software. Mass attenu-ation coefficient (MAC) was found in the range of 22.924-0.108 cm2/g, 5.473-0.129 cm2/g, 3.767-0.109 cm2/g, and 4.626-0.128 cm2/g for Pb20Ni80/CNT, Pb80Ni20/CNT, Pb40Ni60/CNT, and Pb60Ni40/CNT samples, respec-tively. Also, other photon shielding parameters (HVL, Zeff, EABF, and EBF) were calculated to make a comprehensive evaluation. The results show that 30% by weight Pb80Ni20 doped CNT has the lowest HVL and buildup factors values and the largest MAC, Zeff values. Finally, macroscopic cross-section values (sigma R) were obtained to estimate the ability of the nanocomposite samples to reduce the energy of fast neutrons. It was revealed that the sigma R values of the samples were in the range of 0.158-0.169 cm-1 and they had higher sigma R values than conventional neutron moderators.