Bentonite based ceramic materials from a perspective of gamma-ray shielding: Preparation, characterization and performance evaluation

Abstract

Exposure to gamma-rays is hazardous for humans and other living beings because of their high penetration through the materials. For this reason, shielding materials (usually lead, copper and stainless steel) are used to protect against gamma rays. This study’s objective was to prepare ceramic materials for gamma radiation shielding by using different natural bentonite clays. Gamma-ray attenuation performances of the prepared shielding materials at different thicknesses were investigated and evaluated for different gamma-ray energies from different standard point gamma radiation sources (251Am, 57Co, 137Cs, 60Co, and 88Y). The mass and linear attenuation coefficients of the prepared ceramics vary between 0.238 and 0.443 cm2 g−1 and between 0.479 and 1.06 cm−1, respectively, depending on their thicknesses. Results showed that these materials could be prioritized because of their evidential properties of gamma radiation protection in radiation applications.