TY - JOUR

T1 - Utilizing a one-step hydrothermal method for fabrication and evaluation of radiation shielding characteristics in Pb(ZrO3)-doped zirconia: synthesis and characterization

AU - Eldoma, Mubarak A.

AU - Zouli, Nasser

AU - Elawadi, Gaber

AU - Mahmoud, Mohamed

AU - Qudsieh, Isam

AU - Bakather, Omer

AU - Hassan, Mohamed

AU - Alomar, Mohammad s.

AU - Abouatiaa, Ahmed F. F.

AU - Hegazi, Salah Eldeen F.

AU - Elsheikh, Yasir

AU - Mahmoud, K. A.

AU - Alhindawy, Islam G.

N1 - The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, for funding this research work through Project Number ISP23-166.

PY - 2024/2/1

Y1 - 2024/2/1

N2 - In this research, we present a novel methodology for the production of Pb(ZrO3)-doped zirconia derived from zircon minerals. Our approach involves the fabrication of two composite samples via a streamlined hydrothermal synthesis process, offering a direct pathway to manufacture. Furthermore, we conducted an extensive analysis of the recently synthesized compounds using advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, we investigated the average size of crystallites in the prepared samples and examined their correlation with lattice distortions and dislocation density. Additionally, the Monte Carlo simulation code examined the γ-ray shielding properties of the fabricated lead-based zirconate ceramic composites. The evaluation shows an enhancement in the linear attenuation coefficient of the fabricated composites from 0.411 to 0.464 cm−1 (at γ-ray energy of 0.662 MeV), raising the Pb concentration from 6.6 to 13.3 wt%. The enhancement in the linear attenuation coefficient decreases the lead equivalent thickness of the fabricated composites where the thickness of composites equivalent to 1 cm of pure lead is reduced to 2.68 cm by raising the Pb concentration to 13.3 wt%. The shielding evaluation for the fabricated composites showed a high performance against low and intermediate γ-ray photons where the shielding capacity of the fabricated composites reaches 37% and 47% of the pure lead shielding capacity at γ-ray energy of 0.662 MeV and 2.506 MeV, respectively. Therefore, the fabricated composites can be used as an alternative shielding material in hospitals and radioactive zones.

AB - In this research, we present a novel methodology for the production of Pb(ZrO3)-doped zirconia derived from zircon minerals. Our approach involves the fabrication of two composite samples via a streamlined hydrothermal synthesis process, offering a direct pathway to manufacture. Furthermore, we conducted an extensive analysis of the recently synthesized compounds using advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, we investigated the average size of crystallites in the prepared samples and examined their correlation with lattice distortions and dislocation density. Additionally, the Monte Carlo simulation code examined the γ-ray shielding properties of the fabricated lead-based zirconate ceramic composites. The evaluation shows an enhancement in the linear attenuation coefficient of the fabricated composites from 0.411 to 0.464 cm−1 (at γ-ray energy of 0.662 MeV), raising the Pb concentration from 6.6 to 13.3 wt%. The enhancement in the linear attenuation coefficient decreases the lead equivalent thickness of the fabricated composites where the thickness of composites equivalent to 1 cm of pure lead is reduced to 2.68 cm by raising the Pb concentration to 13.3 wt%. The shielding evaluation for the fabricated composites showed a high performance against low and intermediate γ-ray photons where the shielding capacity of the fabricated composites reaches 37% and 47% of the pure lead shielding capacity at γ-ray energy of 0.662 MeV and 2.506 MeV, respectively. Therefore, the fabricated composites can be used as an alternative shielding material in hospitals and radioactive zones.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=8YFLogxK&scp=85184189886

UR - https://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=tsmetrics&SrcApp=tsm_test&DestApp=WOS_CPL&DestLinkType=FullRecord&KeyUT=001157656800006

U2 - 10.1007/s10853-024-09419-5

DO - 10.1007/s10853-024-09419-5

M3 - Article

VL - 59

SP - 3253

EP - 3269

JO - Journal of Materials Science

JF - Journal of Materials Science

SN - 0022-2461

IS - 8

ER -