Effect of lead oxide addition on gamma radiation shielding properties of newly developed geopolymers: theoretical and simulation studies

Abstract

The efficiency of geopolymers as an effective immobilization system for various hazardous waste materials can be enhanced by adding PbO to improve its radiation shielding characteristics. In this study, the impact of PbO addition on the shielding properties of geopolymer composites was examined to evaluate the gamma radiation shielding characteristics of the geopolymer using FLUKA and XCOM computer programs. The results showed that adding 10% and 20% lead oxide significantly improved the shielding properties of the investigated geopolymer, mostly at lower photon energies. The higher values of MAC of 59.66728 cm 2 /g at 0.015 MeV, and 0.03916 cm 2 /g at 15 MeV for the investigated geopolymers suggest that these materials have improved radiation shielding at lower and intermediate energies due to higher photoelectric absorption and Compton scattering. The findings of this study provided valuable insights for designing high-performance radiation protection in medical imaging facilities, nuclear power plants, industrial radiography and other special radiation installations. Therefore, GEO doped with 20PbO should be deployed to fortify these facilities against ionizing radiations.