Synthesis and characterization of Polyethylene/B4C composite, and its neutron shielding performance in cementitious materials: Experimental and simulation studies. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Jaeyeon; Her, Sungwun; Cho, Seongmin; Woo, Seung Min; Bae, Sungchul
• Is Part Of: Cement & concrete composites. Volume 129(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Polyethylene + B4C)/Cement -- Neutron shielding property -- Physicochemical analysis -- Neutron transport -- Mechanical activation; BET Brunauer-Emmett-Teller -- CSH calcium silicate hydrate -- DTA differential thermal Analysis -- EDS energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy -- FT-IR Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy -- HDPE high-density polyethylene -- LOI Loss on ignition -- MA mechanical activation -- MCNP Monte Carlo N-particle -- OPC ordinary Portland cement -- PE polyethylene -- Poly-B micro-sized polyethylene/B4C composite -- RD removal-diffusion -- SEM scanning electron microscopy -- SP superplasticizer -- TEM transmission electron microscopy -- TGA thermogravimetric analysis -- w/c water to cement ratio -- XRD X-ray diffraction -- XRF X-ray florescence; Composite-reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites de ciment -- Périodiques; Béton -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Béton léger -- Périodiques; Cement composites; Composite materials; Composite-reinforced concrete; Concrete; Lightweight concrete; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104458
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-9465

Abstract

Abstract: Boron compounds are effective neutron shielding materials because of their high neutron reaction cross-section. However, their use is limited in cementitious materials because of the boric acid forming, which reduces the durability. In this study, a polyethylene/B4 C composite (Poly-B), for use as a neutron shielding material suitable for cementitious systems, was synthesized using a simple mechanical activation process. The physicochemical properties and neutron shielding performance of the Poly-B-incorporated cement paste were evaluated via experimental and computational methods. The Poly-B exists in a form in which polyethylene coats the outer surface of B4 C. The Poly-B-incorporated cement paste, boric acid forming is prevented, is more advantageous in long-term strength than that of B4 C. Furthermore, Poly-B, which is a removal-diffusion-based material, improved the neutron shielding performance of cement paste than B4 C. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A polyethylene/B4 C composite (Poly-B) are developed and characterized. Poly-B is utilized as neutron shielding material suitable for cementitious systems. Polyethylene in Poly-B prevents forming boric acid from B4 C. Poly-B-incorporated cement paste possessed good neutron shielding properties.