Ferroconcrete-inspired construction of wearable composites with a natural leather matrix for excellent neutron-shielding performance

Abstract

In various sectors, including medical radiotherapy, aerospace exploration, and nuclear energy, the necessity for advanced neutron-shielding materials has escalated. However, these materials often exhibit poor mechanical performance and limited adaptability. To address these shortcomings, this study introduces a novel approach inspired by ferroconcrete construction to develop wearable neutron-shielding materials. This method utilizes the collagen fiber-supported framework present in natural leather, serving as a flexible skeleton, and employs functionalized B4C nanoparticles and paraffin as fillers. The interconnected voids and the unique hierarchical structure of the collagen fibers work synergistically to enable uniform dispersion of B4C nanoparticles, thus enriching the resultant composites with superior neutron-shielding performance. The composite material prepared through this method exhibits a remarkable neutron-shielding effectiveness of 96.93 % and a high linear attenuation coefficient of 17.46 cm−1, outperforming other shielding materials. Additionally, the three-dimensional (3D) woven network of the collagen fiber-supported framework offers impressive mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 28.59 MPa. This innovative design strategy for creating new wearable neutron-shielding materials paves the way for manufacturing advanced neutron-protective clothing and propels a new structural design with elevated shielding and mechanical performance.