EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE ATTENUATION CHARACTERISTICS OF CLAY SLABS DOPED WITH SELECTED HEAVY METAL OXIDES UNDER HIGH-PHOTON ENERGY
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of high photon energy on the radiation shielding characteristics of clay slabs doped with varying concentrations (0 ppm-6400 ppm) of heavy metal oxides: lead(II) oxide (PbO), cadmium oxide (CdO), and chromium(III) oxide (Cr?O?). Using narrow-beam geometry and X-ray sources within the 40-120?keV energy range, key shielding parameters including linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half-value layer (HVL), and bulk density were measured. Results reveal a progressive enhancement in shielding performance with increased dopant concentration. At 6400 ppm, the LAC values increased to 1.13?cm?¹ for PbO, 0.77?cm?¹ for CdO, and 0.63?cm?¹ for Cr?O?, compared to 0.25?cm?¹ for undoped clay. Correspondingly, HVL decreased from 2.772?cm in undoped clay to 0.613?cm, 0.900?cm, and 1.100?cm for PbO, CdO, and Cr?O? respectively , at 6400 ppm. Density analysis showed a significant increase from 1.440?g/cm³ (undoped) to 2.621?g/cm³ (PbO), 2.312?g/cm³ (CdO), and 2.174 g/cm³ (Cr?O?) at 6400 ppm. Among the dopants, PbO demonstrated superior photon attenuation efficiency due to its high atomic number and density contribution. The results affirm that heavy-metal-doped clay composites,particularly those doped with PbO, are promising, cost-effective materials for X-ray and low-energy gamma shielding in diagnostic radiology and environmental radiation protection.
Keywords: Clay composites, Half-value layer (HVL), Heavy metal oxides, High-energy photons, linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), Radiation shielding.
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