Gamma and neutron attenuation of ASM geopolymers for radiation shielding applications: Theoretical study

This research paper studies the radiation attenuation properties of new geopolymers, such as Kaolin, GGBS, and PC. The shielding performance of these geopolymers is investigated against fast neutrons and gamma photons with energy varying between 0.015 MeV and 15. The mass attenuation coefficient (mu/p) values are estimated, based on the XCOM database, to understand and evaluate the radiation absorption/transmission of the studied geopolymers at certain energy levels. It is found that Kaolin, GGBS, and PC geopolymers show mu/p with the values of 0.02066 cm2/g, 0.02225 cm2/g, and 0.02400 cm2/g, respectively, at the energy of 15 MeV. Moreover, the mu/p values of the studied geopolymers are compared to commercial glassy-shielding materials and different polymers and standard shields. The studied geopolymers possess an excellent radiation attenuation and this gives them a potential use in the radiation applications in the construction of places that require radiation protection or in materials that protect from radiation.