Comparison of performance of composites and nanocomposites based on high-density polyethylene and boron nitride for neutron shielding

In the present study, high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and HDPE/Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) nanocomposites with different contents were fabricated using the melt mixing method. The morphology, properties, and mechanical and thermal performance of composites and nanocomposites containing boron nitride were investigated. Also, the neutron shielding performance of the designed composites was investigated using the thermal column of the Tehran Research Reactor and foil activation method. The results were compared with those of using pure HDPE. HDPE/BNNSs nanocomposites have shown higher modulus and tensile strength, higher thermal stability, and better neutron shielding performance than HDPE/hBN. The results showed that by reaching hBN content to 0.5 wt. %, the neutron shielding of the composite was improved by 25% compared with the pure HDPE. However, there is a 43% increase in neutron absorption by nanocomposites compared with HDPE. The result of this work is expected to cause a natural synergy between applied nanocomposite and neutron shields and lead to the commercial production of Leigh-weight, inexpensive, and effective neutron-shield nanocomposites.