Chem. J. Chinese Universities ›› 2022, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (6): 20220039.doi: 10.7503/cjcu20220039

• Articles:Inorganix Chemistry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preparation of Modified Gadolinium/Boron/Polyethylene Nanocomposite and Its Radiation Shielding Performance for Neutron and Gamma-ray

ZHAO Sheng1,2, HUO Zhipeng1(), ZHONG Guoqiang1, ZHANG Hong1, HU Liqun1   

  1. 1.Institute of Plasma Physics,Hefei Institutes of Physical Science,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Hefei 230031,China
    2.University of Science and Technology of China,Hefei 230026,China
  • Received:2022-01-15 Online:2022-06-10 Published:2022-03-20
  • Contact: HUO Zhipeng E-mail:zhipeng.huo@ipp.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21777165);the Users with Excellence Program of Hefei Science Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences(2020HSC-UE012);the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology Program of China(2018-000052-73-01-001228);the Institute of Energy(Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center), China(21KZL401)

Abstract:

The surface of nano-sized gadolinium oxide(nanoGd2O3) was modified by the coupling agent, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate(KH570), and a new type of nanocomposite(modified-gadolinia/boron carbide/polyethylene, M-nanoGd2O3/B4C/HDPE) was prepared by the hot-pressing method. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray energy spectroscopy(EDS) show that the nanoGd2O3 was successfully modified by coupling reagent and the surface modification of nanoGd2O3 significantly improved the interfacial compatibility and dispersion in the polyethylene matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) analysis and mechanical tensile tests showed that the modification of nanoGd2O3 improved the thermal stability, tensile strength, elongation at break and Young’s modulus of the composites. The neutron and gamma-ray shielding performance of the M-nanoGd2O3/B4C/HDPE was studied by real tests and Monte Carlo simulation. The results showed that the modified nanoGd2O3 with excellent interfacial compatibility and dispersion could enhance the neutron and gamma-ray shielding rate effectively. The square shape M-nanoGd2O3/B4C/HDPE material could achieve a neutron shielding rate of 90% at thickness of 11.7 cm and a gamma-ray shielding rate of 70% at thickness of 13.5 cm.

Key words: Gadolinium oxide, Coupling agent, Surface modification, Polyethylene, Composite, Radiation protection

CLC Number: 

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