Barite and hematite are the most common heavy-weight minerals applied as aggregates in radiation shielding concrete (RSC). Therefore, to limit the cement consumption and reduce the CO₂ emissions accompanying its production, the aim of this study is to use Egyptian barite and hematite minerals in their native status and evaluate their attenuation efficiency against fast neutrons and γ-rays. This was implemented through the measurement of their radiation attenuation against fast neutrons and γ-rays in the energy ranges of 0.80–11 and 0.40–8.30 MeV, respectively, employing a Pu-Be source and a stilbene scintillator. Theoretical calculations were prepared using the NXcom program to validate the fast neutron attenuation measurements. Furthermore, the implications of the physical, mineralogical, geochemical, and morphological characteristics of these heavy-weight minerals with respect to their attenuation efficiencies were considered. We found that barite has superior radiation attenuation efficiency for fast neutrons and γ-rays compared to hematite by 9.17 and 51% for fast neutrons and γ-rays, respectively. This was ascribed to the superior physical, mineralogical, geochemical, and morphological properties of the former relative to those of the latter. Furthermore, a satisfactory agreement between the experimental and theoretical results was achieved, with a deviation of 16 and 19.25% for the barite and hematite samples, respectively. Eventually, barite and hematite can be successful candidates for their use as sustainable alternatives to common RSC.

The objective of this study is to increase the natural clay mineral-based bricks’ ability to shield γ-rays without the use of external doping materials. Six brick samples were consequently developed at various pressure rates (PRs). The chemical composition and structure of the manufactured bricks are unaffected by the PR applied. The main constituents in the clay used to make bricks are illite and quartz minerals, according to an X-ray diffraction pattern. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersion X-rays have demonstrated the morphology and chemical composition of the used clay. Besides, the Mh-300A density meter shows an increase in the fabricated bricks’ density by increasing the PR, where the brick’s density increased by 32.92% by increasing the PR from 7.61 to 114.22 MPa, respectively. Also, the effects of the PR on the radiation shielding properties of the fabricated bricks were investigated using a NaI (Tl) detector. The data reveal that increasing the PR between 7.61 and 114.22 MPa improved the linear attenuation coefficient by 44.5, 23.8, 24.2, and 24.8%, respectively, for gamma-ray energies of 0.662, 1.173, 1.252, and 1.332 MeV. The capacity of fabricated bricks to shield against radiation increases as the linear attenuation coefficient increases. The lead’s equivalent thickness and half-value thickness of the fabricated clay-based bricks, on the other hand, decreased. As a result, the compacted natural clay brick, which is a lead-free material, provides a suitable alternative for gamma-ray shielding in radioactive locations.

This study introduces a novel nanocomposite coating composed of PANI/CeO₂ nanocomposite films, aimed at addressing corrosion protection needs. Analysis through FTIR spectra and XRD patterns confirms the successful formation of the nanocomposite films. Notably, the PANI/CeO₂ nanocomposite films exhibit a hydrophilic nature. The bandgap energy of the PANI composite film is measured to be 3.74 eV, while the introduction of CeO₂ NPs into the PANI matrix reduces the bandgap energy to 3.67 eV. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the PANI composite film is observed to be 0.40 S·cm⁻¹, with the incorporation of CeO₂ NPs leading to an increase in electrical conductivity to 1.07 S·cm⁻¹. To evaluate its efficacy, electrochemical measurements were conducted to assess the corrosion protection performance. Results indicate a high protection efficiency of 92.25% for the PANI/CeO₂ nanocomposite film.

Six different composites of epoxy resin and Carbopol 974p polymer were prepared based on Carbopol 974p polymer concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. The linear and mass attenuation coefficients, Half Value Layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) of these composites were determined using single-beam photon transmission in the energy range between 16.65 keV and 25.21 keV. This was carried out by determining the attenuation of k_a1 X-ray fluorescent (XRF) photons from niobium, molybdenum, palladium, silver, and tin targets. The results were compared with theoretical values of three types of breast material (Breast 1, Breast 2, Breast 3) and Perspex, which was calculated using a XCOM computer program. The results show that there were no significant differences in the attenuation coefficient values after the consequent Carbopol additions. Moreover, it was found that the mass attenuation coefficients of all tested composites were close to those of Perspex and the values for Breast 3. The HVL and MFP results showed that the E25 sample is closer to the results of the Perspex material with differences of (0.53–1.15%) and (0.51–1.20%), respectively. In addition, the densities of the fabricated samples were in the range of 1.102–1.170 g/cm³, which is in the range of human breast density. A computed tomography (CT) scanner was used to investigate the CT number values for the fabricated samples. The CT numbers of all samples were in the range of human breast tissue (24.53–40.28 HU). Based on these findings, the fabricated epoxy–Carbopol polymer is a good candidate for use as a breast phantom material.