Gamma ray shielding properties of synthesized lanthanide borides using EGSnrc code

In this study, we have investigated some hexaborides which are synthesized for the purpose of gamma-ray shielding. These materials were synthesized by the method of magnesiothermic reduction process in the open air, and stoichiometric amounts of M2O3, B2O3, and Mg (20% excess) were mixed where MIII is a three oxidation state lanthanide metal (DyIII, PrIII and YbIII) ion. Chemical and physical characteristics of the manufactured samples were determined by X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyzes. Gamma-ray shielding parameters were determined by using EGSnrc Monte Carlo (MC) code in 21.0 keV-1.728 MeV photon energy range. The calculated data were compared with the results calculated by Nist's XCOM database. The obtained results by using EGSnrc and XCOM program have shown successful consistency. It was concluded that the manufactured hexaborides have promising gamma shielding properties compared especially to lead and some shielding materials investigated earlier in the literature.