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

This research paper studies the radiation attenuation properties of new geo polymers, such as Kaolin, Gabs, and PC. The shielding performance of these geo polymers is investigated against fast neutrons and gamma photons with energy varying between 0.015 MeV and 15. The mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) values are estimated, based on the XCOM database, to understand and evaluate the radiation absorption/transmission of the studied geo polymers at certain energy levels. It is found that Kaolin, Gabs, and Pc geo polymers show μ/ρ 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 μ/ρ values of the studied geo polymers are compared to commercial glassy-shielding materials and different polymers and standard shields. The studied geo polymers 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