Investigating Thermal and Fast Neutron Shielding Properties of B4C, B2O3, Sm2O3, and Gd2O3 doped Polymer Matrix Composites using Monte Carlo Simulations
Yasin Gaylan, Ahmet Bozkurt, Barış Avar
Abstract
In this study, thermal (2.53*10-8 MeV) and fast (2 MeV) neutron total macroscopic cross-sections of paraffin, polycarbonate, and polyester matrix polymers doped with B4C, B2O3, Sm2O3, and Gd2O3 (at weight percentages of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) were computed by using Monte Carlo simulations. Additionally, the macroscopic effective removal cross-section ) of fast neutrons was theoretically computed based on the mass removal cross-section values ) for various elements in polymers and additives. The obtained results show that the highest thermal neutron total macroscopic cross-section was obtained in polycarbonate doped with Gd2O3, and the highest fast neutron total macroscopic cross-section was observed in paraffin doped with Sm2O3. Besides, the paraffin provided the highest fast neutron total macroscopic cross-section for all additives. The results of this study provide a good understanding of shielding properties of paraffin, polycarbonate, and polyester matrix polymers doped with B4C, B2O3, Sm2O3, and Gd2O3 against thermal and fast neutrons.