Simulation of Gamma-Ray Attenuation in Zeolite–Polymer Composites for Low-Cost Sustainable Radiation Shielding

Lightweight and lead-free radiation shields are increasingly developed to overcome the toxicity and handling challenges associated with conventional heavy-metal-based materials. In this study, the γ-ray attenuation behavior of polymer-zeolite composites was examined by reinforcing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polylactic acid (PLA) with natural clinoptilolite zeolite at concentrations of 10-40 wt%. Photon-interaction parameters, including the linear attenuation coefficient (μ), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (λ), and effective atomic number (Zeff), were evaluated over 15 keV-15 MeV using the Phy-X/PSD platform. Zeolite incorporation consistently enhanced photon attenuation, particularly at low energies dominated by the photoelectric effect. At 15 keV, the HVL decreased from 0.60 cm to 0.08 cm for HDPE and from 0.043 cm to 0.033 cm for PLA as the zeolite loading increased to 40 wt%. Correspondingly, Zeff increased from 2.7 to 4.3 for HDPE and from 6.5 to 11.6 for PLA, while μ reached approximately 41 cm^-1 and 56 cm^-1 at 15 keV for the respective 40 wt% composites. Beyond about 1 MeV, differences between compositions became minimal as Compton scattering dominated. PLA-zeolite composites exhibited higher μ and lower HVL than HDPE-zeolite, whereas HDPE maintained an advantage in mixed-field environments owing to its hydrogen-rich matrix. The results confirm that zeolite-reinforced polymers are safe, low-cost, and lightweight materials suitable for radiation shielding in medical, nuclear, and aerospace applications.