Microstructure investigation, Electrical properties, and γ-rays’ protection capacity for ZnO doped clay ceramic

A series of ceramic samples fabricated based on ZnO doped different concentrations of natural clay according to the relation (1-x) ZnO – (x) clay; 5 wt% ≤ x ≤ 20 wt%. The samples were pressed and sintered at 1200 °C. The experimental techniques were used to characterize and measure the chemical composition, density, and current-voltage measurements for the fabricated ceramics samples. The measurements depict an increase in the I–V nonlinearity with raising the clay concentration, where the increase in clay by up to 20 wt% shifts breakdown voltage to a higher value of up to 390 V/cm and decreases leakage current to 55 mA/cm2. The examinations for the gamma-ray shielding capacity for the fabricated composites (utilizing Monte Carlo simulation) demonstrate enrichment of clay concentration between 5 wt% and 20 wt% reduced the linear attenuation coefficient for the fabricated ceramics by 23.15% and 8.66% at γ photon energy of 0.059 MeV and 1.252 MeV, respectively. The half-value thickness and lead's equivalent thickness increased along with a drop in the linear attenuation coefficient, but the radiation protection effectiveness of the fabricated ceramics increased. •Synthesis of ZnO ceramic doped clay minerals collected from red sea coast area.•The fabrication was done at 10 ton/cm2 pressure and 1200 °C sintering temperature.•Raising the clay ratio shifts breakdown electric fields and reduces leakage currents.•Clay mineral enrichment is associated with a linear attenuation coefficient decrease.