Gamma attenuation and radiation shielding performance of CaCu3B2Re2O12 (B[dbnd]Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) perovskites

Abstract

In order to identify the importance of perovskites in nuclear science, studies aimed at obtaining the radiation interaction quantities of perovskites are essential. This study computed and analyzed the gamma photon interaction parameters of CaCu3B2Re2O12 (BMn, Fe, Co, and Ni) perovskites to reveal their shielding potentials and comparative advantages against traditional shielding materials. Four samples of ferrimagnetic quaternary perovskites whose chemical structures are summarized as CaCu3B2Re2O12 (BMn (CCMRO1), Fe (CCMRO2), Co (CCMRO3), and Ni (CCMRO4)) were considered for their gamma interaction quantities. The values of mass attenuation coefficient (μρ) was calculated with XCOM and they were in the range of 0.0552 cm2/g–0.4162 cm2/g for CCMRO1, 0.0553 cm2/g–0.4165 cm2/g CCMRO2, 0.0552 cm2/g–0.4148 cm2/g for CCMRO3, and 0.0555 cm2/g–0.4163 cm2/g for CCMRO4. The values of effective atomic number and electron density was within the range 21.38–43.38 and 2.84 x 1023 electrons/g −5.62 x1023 electrons/g, respectively. The trend of the mass energy absorption coefficients of the perovskites was also found to be in the same order as the mass attenuation coefficient. CCMRO3 has the highest photon energy absorptive ability among the perovskites while CCMRO2 has the least capacity. Also, the gamma dose rates in15 mm thick of CCMRO1, CCMRO2, CCMRO3, and CCMRO4 for 1.25 MeV are about 1446 kR/h, 1449 kR/h, 1453 kR/h, and 1446 kR/h, respectively. Comparatively, the values of the exposure and energy absorption buildup factors were almost the same for the perovskites at the same energy and optical depth. The investigated perovskites had higher mass attenuation coefficients that standard shielding glasses. The perovskites can be used for shielding or any other radiation absorption roles in radiation science and technology, especially for photons at low energies.