Gamma-Ray Attenuation Characteristics and Shielding Performance of BaTiO₃ Nanomaterial: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

Abstract

The increasing use of ionizing radiation in medicine, industry, and nuclear technology has intensified the search for efficient radiation shielding materials. Among the promising candidates, barium titanate (BaTiO₃) nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent dielectric, ferroelectric, and structural properties. In this study, the gamma-ray attenuation and shielding performance of BaTiO₃ nanomaterial were investigated experimentally using a NaI(Tl) detector with radioisotope sources covering the energy range of 122–1330 keV and theoretically using the Win-XCOM database. The shielding performance was evaluated by determining the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), total atomic cross section (σ_t), electronic cross section (σ_e), molar extinction coefficient (ε), effective atomic number (Z_eff), effective electron density (N_eff), transmission factor (TF), and radiation protection efficiency (RPE). The experimental results showed excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions, with deviations not exceeding 6%, confirming the reliability and accuracy of the measurements. The values of MAC, LAC, σ_t, σ_e, and ε decreased with increasing photon energy before approaching nearly constant values at higher energies, whereas Z_eff and N_eff remained almost independent of photon energy throughout the investigated range. BaTiO₃ exhibited its highest attenuation capability at 122 keV, with attenuation gradually decreasing as photon energy increased to 1330 keV. The radiation protection efficiency reached approximately 100% at 122 keV, indicating excellent shielding performance against low-energy gamma rays. These findings demonstrate that BaTiO₃ nanomaterial is a promising and effective candidate for gamma-ray shielding, particularly in low-energy radiation protection applications.