Neutron and gamma-ray shielding effectiveness of novel polyaniline composites

Abstract

This study uses experimental, theoretical, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques to investigate the neutron and gamma-ray shielding performances of polyaniline-based composites filled with different amounts of formic acid, boron nitride, and boric acid. The radiation shielding performances of composites were evaluated at neutron energies of 0.025 eV, 1 keV, and 10 MeV, and gamma-ray energy of 662 keV. The study found that the composite material made of polyaniline and boron nitride with a higher percentage of boron has better thermal neutron shielding properties than other polyaniline composites. The research also showed that a polyaniline-boric acid composite with a thickness of 1.6 mm can reduce thermal neutrons by 64.5%. As a result, the composite containing equal amounts of polyaniline and boric acid was identified as the most promising material for shielding. The macroscopic cross-sections of neutrons and mass attenuation coefficients of gamma-rays were found to have expanded uncertainties up to 13.47% and 7.11%, respectively. The factors contributing to the uncertainty of the experimental, theoretical, and simulation results were identified, evaluated, and shown how to include uncertainty components in the uncertainty budget.