Photon Attenuation Coefficients of Fly-Ash Based Geopolymers Synthesized with Different Barite Proportions

Abstract

Mass attenuation coefficients of fly-ash based geopolymers fabricated with different proportions of barite are measured using a high-resolution NaI spectrometer detector. After fabrication, the samples were irradiated with gamma-rays emitted from point sources of 241Am and 137Cs. The measured experimental values are found to be consistent with theoretical calculations carried out using the XCOM program. Based on the results, the radiation shielding capacity of the geopolymers is found to increase with increase in barite proportion. In addition, the fly-ash based geopolymers fall within the internationally established range and are thus acceptable for use as radiation protection devices.