Scientists from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have developed a groundbreaking composite material that significantly improves protection against neutron and gamma radiation. The research, led by Dr. Huo Zhipeng and student Chen Zuoyang, was published in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing.
The team created a novel material by reinforcing boron carbide/high-density polyethylene (B₄C/HDPE) composites with lead tungstate (PbWO₄) fillers. By carefully controlling the microstructure of these fillers, they achieved superior shielding performance against both types of radiation while also enhancing thermal stability, mechanical strength, and durability.
Key findings include:
- The rough spherical PbWO₄-III filler demonstrated optimal dispersion and interfacial bonding, improving the composite’s overall properties.
- The material achieved a 97.32% shielding rate against ²⁵²Cf neutrons and 76.43% against ¹³⁷Cs gamma photons at 15 cm thickness.
- The composite addresses limitations of traditional shielding materials, which often lack versatility or long-term resilience.
This advancement is particularly relevant for nuclear energy, radiation therapy, and space exploration, where effective radiation protection is critical. The study highlights the importance of microstructure control in material design and opens new avenues for developing high-performance shielding solutions.
The team emphasized the potential of their work to pave the way for next-generation radiation protection materials.
Add comment