Enhanced gamma-ray shielding with high-density Bi2O3-Infused PTFE: Insights from Phy-X/PSD and Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations

This study investigated the gamma-ray shielding capabilities of PTFE composites reinforced with varying concentrations of Bi 2 O 3 using two advanced simulation platforms, Phy-X/PSD and Geant4, over an energy range of 0.015–15 MeV. PTFE is selected as the matrix due to its high chemical resistance, excellent thermal stability, and relatively high density compared to many other polymers, making it an ideal host for high-Z fillers. Our findings showed that at 0.015 MeV, pure PTFE exhibits a linear attenuation coefficient ( μ ) of approximately 4.6 cm −1 , which increases nearly 100-fold to about 463 cm −1 when the composite contains 80 wt% of Bi 2 O 3 . Moreover, pure Bi 2 O 3 achieves Linear attenuation coefficient values exceeding 926 cm −1 , underscoring its superior ability to absorb low-energy gamma rays. Similar trends are observed for other key parameters, including mass attenuation coefficients, half-value layers, and mean free paths, which all improve markedly with increasing Bi 2 O 3 content. These enhancements not only boost photon absorption at low energies but also effectively minimize secondary radiation buildup at greater depths. The excellent agreement between the Phy-X/PSD and Geant4 simulation results confirms the reliability of our modeling approach and provides valuable insights for optimizing composite formulations for advanced radiation protection in nuclear, medical, and industrial applications.