Gamma attenuation, dose rate and exposure/absorption buildup factors of apatite–wollastonite (AW) ceramic system

Apatite-wollastonite (AW) is an important biomaterial useful in clinical practice for tissue engineering and other applications. In this research paper, AW and B2O3-doped AW glass ceramics (GCs) were reported and investigated deeply by means of their ability to attenuate gamma-photons. The studied samples denoted by AW, AW-10B, and AW-20B as the B2O3 content from 0 to 20 mol% with the step of 10. Using FLUKA and other theoretical approaches, photon interaction parameters for narrow and broad beam transmission through the AW GCs were estimated for the 15 keV–15 MeV energy range. Also, the density of the GCs increased as the B2O3 content increased. The mass attenuation coefficients were found to be within the ranges 0.0231–13.5659 cm2/g, 0.0225–12.3561 cm2/g, and 0.0220–11.1079 cm2/g for AW, AW-10B, and AW-20B, respectively. The effective atomic number of the GCs fell within the range 11.04–17.26, 10.88–17.01, and 10.21–16.72, respectively. As the doping concentration of B2O3 increased, the gamma energy that the AW GCs were able to absorb decreased. The addition of B2O3 compromised the photon shielding competence of AW in both narrow beam and broad beam scenarios. The GCs had better photon-absorbing competence than some existing gamma-photon shields. The GCs may thus be used as photon absorbers in clinical practice or in other nuclear applications. •Gamma attenuation of AW ceramic system is reported.•Experimental work is carried out.•Monte Carlo simulations are employed.•Dose rate and buildup factors are evaluated.•GCs had better photon-absorbing competence.