Monte Carlo simulation and study of REE/PET composites with wide γ-ray protection

Abstract

In this paper, rare earth element (REE)/polyester composites were designed with lanthanum oxide, gadolinium oxide, and lutetium oxide as ray shielding agents, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the base. Monte Carlo simulation was carried out using FLUKA software. We found that the radiation protection performance of the composite is affected by the type and amount of REE; a higher amount of REE equated to a better radiation protection performance of the composite. When the thickness of the composite and total thickness of the REE is constant, the number of superimposed layers inside the composite does not affect its shielding performance. Compared with a single-type REE/PET composite, a mixed-type REE/PET composite has a wider range of γ-ray absorption and better radiation protection performance. When the mass ratio of PET to REE is 2:8 and different types of REE are mixed with equal mass, several 0.2 cm-thick mixed-type REE/PET composites can shield >70% of 60 and 80 KeV γ-rays.