Performance of lead and iron oxides nanoparticle materials on shielding properties for γ-rays

The objectives of this work are preparation and study of properties of some shielding materials to protect public and personnel from the effect of ionizing radiation. In the present work the increment in mass attenuation coefficients (μm) by using Lead oxide (PbO) and/or Iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles instead of bulk lead and iron oxides was investigated. Lead oxide nanostructure was synthesized by citrate precursor method, through the reaction of citric acid [C6H7O8.H2O] and lead acetate trihydrate [Pb (CH3COO) 2.3H2O]. Iron oxide nanostructure was synthesized by citrate precursor method, through the reaction of ferric nitrate [Fe(NO3)3.2H2O] and citric acid [C6H7O8.H2O]. The prepared nanostructure materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Different gamma radiation interaction parameters used for radiation shielding design were computed theoretically and measured experimentally at, 295 keV, 325 keV, 609 keV, 934 keV, 1378 keV and 1764 keV gamma radiation energy using narrow transmission geometry and using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. Our results show that the mass attenuation coefficient (μm) of lead oxide (pbO) nanostructure was greater than that of bulk Lead oxide, while in the case of iron oxide there is little change between nano and bulk materials. •Some shielding materials for radiation sources can protect the workers and people.•Iron oxide nanostructure was synthesized by citrate precursor method.•The mass attenuation coefficient of lead oxide nanostructure sample was greater than that of bulk one.•Nanostructures for lead oxide or iron oxide can be modeled using Monte Carlo code, MCNP.