Titanate Nanoparticles show Enhanced Gamma-ray Shielding Property

Introduction: Experimental measurements on the X-ray and gamma ray absorption coefficients are of interest in designing and developing shielding materials for personnel as well as sites of radiation facilities. In a search for flexible, less cumbersome, thin, and cost- effective shielding materials, TiO2 nanoparticles have been studied for their ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation using a simple transmission experiment. Method: A simple transmission experiment is designed employing radioactive sources, a collimator, and a NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer. Intensities of gamma rays of 662, 1170, and 1330 keV energy from radioactive sources 137Cs and 60Co through different thicknesses of TiO2 nanomaterial absorber, along with their respective direct intensities without the absorber, are measured. From the ratios of these intensities, along with the density of TiO2 nanomaterial, linear and mass absorption coefficients are calculated. Results: It is interesting to note that the experimental attenuation coefficients for 662 keV gamma energy are about 40% more than the corresponding XCOM value. However, the difference decreases with increasing energy, with 30% and 20% more than those of XCOM values for 1170 keV and 1330 keV, respectively. Discussion: The significant enhancement in the absorption property of TiO2 nanoparticles might be interpreted in terms of the unique characteristics of nanoparticles. The unusually high shielding effect of TiO2 nanoparticles is likely to originate from their unique size-dependent properties. Conclusions: We report here an interesting observation of significant enhancement of the absorption of gamma radiation by TiO2 nanoparticles. This absorption is more significant at low energies when compared to high energies.