Lead(II) chloride effects on nuclear shielding capabilities of polymer composites.

This study investigated the radiation shielding capacity of undoped polymer composite and lead (II) chloride (PbCl 2)-containing polymer composite samples. The PbCl 2 and polyester resin were used as filler and base materials, respectively. The PbCl 2 was added to the polyester resin from 5 wt% to 20 wt%, and so an undoped polymer composite and four polymer composite samples each with different PbCl 2 /polymer resin ratios were investigated for their radiation attenuation capacity. Experimental data of the samples were taken using an HPGe detector, and 241Am, 133Ba, 57Co, 22Na, 137Cs, 152Eu, 54Mn and 60Co radioactive point sources were used with energies in the range of 59.5–1408.0 keV. The experimental data were compared with both those simulated with FLUKA code and those theoretically calculated in WinXCOM. Mass attenuation coefficients used in estimating the shielding capacity of the samples were in good agreement with those found using FLUKA and WinXCOM. Radiation protection efficiency was improved by 244% especially at 59.5 keV energy by using PbCl 2 (20%) polymer composite compared to undoped polymer composite. The sample with the maximum weight percentage of PbCl 2 , PbCl 2 (20%), had the highest attenuation coefficients and lowest absorption thicknesses, and had the best radiation shielding property compared to the other polymer composite samples. • The gamma photon shielding capacities of some polymer composites were investigated. • Experiments were performed using an HPGe detector and eight radioactive sources. • Experimental μ/ρ values were checked against those of FLUKA and WinXCOM results. • Radiation protection efficiency was improved by 244% at 59.5 keV by adding PbCl 2. • PbCl 2 (20%) had the best radiation shielding property among the prepared composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]