Micro gadolinium oxide dispersed flexible composites developed for the shielding of thermal neutron/gamma rays

In this study, a series of flexible neutron/gamma shielding composites are fabricated through the doping of Gd2O3 into the matrix of SEBS with (MGd2O3: MSEBS) % from 5% to 100%. Neutron transmittance test shows an exponential attenuation with the increase of areal density of Gd, in which the transmittance T ranges from 59.1440% to 35.3026%, with standard deviation less than 2.2743%, mass attenuation coefficient μm from 0.3194 cm2/g to 0.4999 cm2/g, and half value layer-HVL value from 2.4530 mm to 1.1313 mm. Shielding efficiency of the Gd2O3/SEBS composites is basically improved in comparison with that of B4C/SEBS. The transmittance T, mass/linear attenuation coefficient μm and μ, HVL and effective atomic number Zeff for the shielding of γ rays (39 keV, 59 keV and 122 keV) are measured and calculated with XCOM as well as MCX programs. Finally, plots of the three dimensional relationships between transmittance, doping amount and thickness are provided to the guidance for engineering shielding design. In summary, the Gd2O3/SEBS composite is proved to be an effective flexible neutron/low energy γ rays shielding material, which could be of potential applications in the field of nuclear technology and nuclear engineering.