Development of novel silane modified boric acid/ high density polyethylene composites for radiation shielding applications

Abstract

Polymer composites offer an invaluable platform for neutron shielding applications, however, the poor compatibility between the matrix and filler may compromise the physico-chemical and shielding properties. This study investigates the influence of the surface modified boric acid on the physical, chemical, and neutron shielding properties of polyethylene-based composites. Boric acid was modified with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and melt blended along with polyethylene. The composites were later crosslinked chemically and contained boron content for up to 4% (wt/wt). Neutron shielding parameters were obtained against 1 Ci, Am-Be neutron source. Experimental shielding data was also simulated on MCBEND®. Composites containing 9 wt% of modified boric acid showed excellent physical, thermal, chemical and fast neutron shielding properties. A comparison of experimental and simulation mass removal cross sections shows that the geometry and physics models proposed in this work are in close agreement, with maximum relative difference of not more than 14%. Taken together, these composites containing surface modified boric acid may have implications for neutron shielding applications.