A multi-phase investigation to understand the function of lanthanum and neodymium in the zirconia ceramics' synthesis, structural, and gamma-ray protective ability

In the present work, the role of Neodymium (III) nitrate hexahydrate [Nd (NO3)2] and lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate [La (NO3)3 & sdot;6H2O] on the structural and radiation shielding properties of zircon mineral was examined. Therefore, a new La/Nb-doped ZrO2 nanocomposite was fabricated. Various experimental techniques such as energy-dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction pattern were utilized to discover the structure and chemical composition, as well as the morphology of the fabricated La/Nb-doped ZrO2 nanocomposites. Additionally, for the estimation of the fabricated composites' gamma-ray shielding properties, Monte Carlo simulation was employed. Among low and intermediate gamma-photon energy, the study affirmed a good shielding characteristic for the fabricated composites, where the linear attenuation coefficient reduced from 245.64 to 0.21 cm-1 when the gamma-photon energy was raised respectively from 0.022 to 2.506 MeV. Compared to pure lead, the fabricated composites showed good shielding properties, where the shielding capacity reached 30-50% of the pure lead element in the 0.244-2.506 MeV intermediate energy interval.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of Neodymium (III) nitrate hexahydrate and lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate on the structural and radiation shielding properties of zircon mineral, and a new La/Nb-doped ZrO2 nanocomposite was fabricated. Experimental techniques such as energy-dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction pattern were used to analyze the structure and composition of the fabricated nanocomposites. Monte Carlo simulation was employed to evaluate the gamma-ray shielding properties. The results showed that the fabricated composites had good shielding characteristics, with a shielding capacity of 30-50% compared to pure lead in the intermediate energy range of 0.244-2.506 MeV.