Effects of micro-sized and nano-sized WO3 on mass attenauation coefficients of concrete by using MCNPX code

Abstract

In the present work the effect of tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles on mass attenauation coefficients of concrete has been investigated by using MCNPX (version 2.4.0). The validation of generated MCNPX simulation geometry has been provided by comparing the results with standard XCOM data for mass attenuation coefficients of concrete. A very good agreement between XCOM and MCNPX have been obtained. The validated geometry has been used for definition of nano-WO3 and micro-WO3 into concrete sample. The mass attenuation coefficients of pure concrete and WO3 added concrete with micro-sized and nano-sized have been compared. It was observed that shielding properties of concrete doped with WO3 increased. The results of mass attenauation coefficients also showed that the concrete doped with nano-WO3 significanlty improve shielding properties than micro-WO3. It can be concluded that addition of nano-sized particles can be considered as another mechanism to reduce radiation dose.