A comparative analysis of gamma and neutron radiation shielding properties of Gd2O3 nanoparticles within HDPE composites irradiated with argon ion beam

Gd2O3/HDPE nanocomposite materials were prepared using the sol-gel method. These composites were developed to investigate the gamma-ray and neutron shielding properties of HDPE reinforced with Gd2O3 nanoparticles at different concentrations (x = 4.0%, 12.0%, 20.0%, 30.0%, and 40%). The study also investigates the effects of argon ion irradiation on the gamma-ray and neutron shielding properties. The composite was irradiated with argon ion beam of energy 4 keV, to a fluence of 22 × 1016 ions/cm2. Different analytical techniques were applied to study the Gd2O3/HDPE nanocomposites. The mass attenuation coefficient (µm) was experimentally measured using the Eu-152 gamma point source. The HPGe detector was used for measurement of shielding parameters of unirradiated and irradiated composites. The (µm) was measured at different photon energies, and the outcomes have been contrasted with those obtained utilizing the NIST-XCOM software. There was an acceptable agreement between the theoretical and experimental results. For example, at 121 keV, the attenuation parameter increases from 0.1845 for pure HDPE to 0.5065 for the 30 wt% Gd2O3/HDPE composite, corresponding to an enhancement of approximately 175%. Also, total neutron macroscopic cross-sections were evaluated for both irradiated and unirradiated samples. Results revealed a significant enhancement in gamma and neutron attenuation post-irradiation, attributed to structural, mechanical, and morphological changes induced by the ion beam. For pure HDPE, ƩT increases by 33%, whereas the 12 wt% and 20 wt% Gd2O3/HDPE composites exhibit further enhancements of approximately 82% and 70%, respectively. The findings indicate ion treatment provides a promising method for improving radiation shielding parameters of polymer nanocomposites.