2022 Annual Meeting
Neutron Shielding Performance of Boron Nitride Nanotube (BNNT)-Polyethylene Composite
Boron Nitride Nanotube, BNNT, has the chemical structure of a tubular shape bonded with boron and nitrogen atoms, arranged in a hexagon shape. Because boron absorbs neutrons effectively, BNNT can be used as a neutron radiation shield. It is better to use it in the form of composite material because it can be manufactured and used in the desired shape depending on the body of the interior of the spacecraft. Here BNNT-Polyethylene (PE) is chosen for analyzing neutron radiation shielding performance because BNNT reinforces PE structurally and hydrogen in PE is also useful for the shielding. By considering each element forming the chemical structure, we can calculate the macroscopic cross section for the thermalized Neutron to identify the compositeâs ability as a radiation shield. We could also demonstrate how to improve the composite by using I(x)=I0*exp(-Σt*x), which provides a necessary thickness of the composite and B10 content in BNNT to deflect or absorb Neutrons. As the content of B10 in BNNT increases, the composite could more effectively protect us from neutrons. If the BNNT-PE composite becomes effective enough to be used in space exploration, the rocketâs chassis will become less weighted and decrease the risk of causing secondary radiation, since BNNT-PE composite is relatively lighter and thinner than most metallic materials.