Investigations on Lanthanide polymers for radiation shielding purpose.

The current study involves the X-ray/gamma and neutron/EMI shielding and change in mechanical properties of selected lanthanide polymers such as Lanthanum polymer, Cerium polymer, Praseodymium polymer, Gadolinium texaphyrin polymer, Terbium co-ordination polymer and Erbium phosphate hydrate polymer. The X-ray/gamma, neutron and EMI shielding parameters are studied in detail for all the selected polymers. Among all the selected polymers, Erbium phosphate hydrate polymer shows larger values of mass attenuation coefficient, absorption buildup factor, Z eff , N e , specific absorbed fractions of energy, radiation protection efficiency, kinetic energy released in matter, relative dose, neutron total interaction cross section and absorption cross section values. Furthermore, the EMI shielding parameter (total shielding effectiveness) was also found to be larger for Erbium phosphate hydrate polymer in near infrared, mid infrared, far infrared, ultra high frequency (UHF), very high frequency, high frequency radio waves, middle frequency radio waves, low frequency radio waves and very low frequency radio waves. This clearly indicates that Erbium phosphate hydrate polymer might be used as a good shielding material for X-ray/gamma, neutrons and EMI radiations. We have also reported the change in mechanical properties of the studied lanthanide polymers due to the interaction with X-rays/gamma rays. The mechanical properties remains unchanged in the region where pair production and photoelectric effect dominates. Change in the mechanical properties is observed in the region where Compton scattering dominates, indicating that the change in mechanical properties due to interaction of radiation is also an important parameter while selecting the shielding materials. Present study may be useful in the selection of new shielding material. Highlights for review Gamma/X-ray, neutron and EMI shielding properties of lanthanide polymers were discussed in detail.Among all the selected lanthanide polymer, Erbium phosphate hydrate polymer possess all the parameters required to become a good shielding material for X-rays/gamma – rays, neutrons and as well as for EMI radiations.An empirical model was developed which successfully produces the change in mechanical property of the lanthanide polymers under study due to interaction of X-ray/gamma radiation. [Display omitted] • Shielding properties of lanthanide polymers were discussed in detail. • An empirical model was developed to explain the change in mechanical property. • Erbium phosphate hydrate polymer is a good shielding material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]