Core–shell Gd ₂ O ₃ -Coated B ₄ C–Al composites with simultaneously enhanced neutron capture and thermal conductivity

Core–shell boron carbide (B4C) particles coated with ∼100 nm gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) were synthesized via a metal–organic framework route. Aluminum (Al) matrix composites reinforced with uncoated B4C, Gd2O3, or core–shell B4C@Gd2O3 were comparatively evaluated. The B4C@Gd2O3–Al composite showed the highest macroscopic absorption cross-section and thermal conductivity among all composites. Specifically, the B4C@Gd2O3–Al composite exhibited a macroscopic absorption cross-section of 15.71 cm−1 and a thermal conductivity of 161.44 W/m·K, representing improvements of about 20% and 10%, respectively, compared with the mixture of B4C and Gd2O3 particles.