Abstract
In this work, the influence of adding nano and micro Bismuth-Oxide on the radiation shielding performance of kaolin clay was experimentally reported. The linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the prepared kaolin clays was measured using a HPGe detector between 0.06 and 1.333 MeV. To confirm the validity of the experimental results, the kaolin clay with micro-Bi2O3 were matched with the XCOM results. The LAC findings demonstrated that the kaolin clay with nano-Bi2O3 is better in attenuating the low energy photons than the micro-Bi2O3. The half value layer (HVL) decreases with adding micro Bi2O3 to the kaolin clay. The pure KC shows a highest HVL and thus a high dimensional sample of the kaolin clay is needed to attenuate the radiation. At 0.081 MeV, the thickness of KC to attenuate 50% of the photons is 1.751 cm, while it is reduced to 0.332 cm for KC-Bi30. The radiation protection efficiency (RPE) for the kaolin clay -Bi10n is higher than kaolin clay -Bi10m and this is also valid for the 30% of Bi2O3. Hence, the kaolin clay with nano Bi2O3 provides better radiation shielding compared to kaolin clay with micro Bi2O3 and this is correct for the kaolin clay with 10 and 30% of Bi2O3.
•LAC of the kaolin clay with different micro and nano Bi2O3 was determined.•KC with nano-Bi2O3 is better in shield the low energy photons than the micro-Bi2O3.•At 0.081 MeV, the thickness of KC to attenuate 50% of the photons is 1.751 cm.•The RPE for the kaolin clay -Bi10n is higher than kaolin clay -Bi10m.