@article{article_933338, title={Investigating Thermal and Fast Neutron Shielding Properties of B4C, B2O3, Sm2O3, and Gd2O3 doped Polymer Matrix Composites using Monte Carlo Simulations}, journal={Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Arts and Science Journal of Science}, volume={16}, pages={490–499}, year={2021}, DOI={10.29233/sdufeffd.933338}, author={Gaylan, Yasin and Bozkurt, Ahmet and Avar, Barış}, keywords={Neutron shielding, Monte carlo simulation, Polymer composite}, abstract={In this study, thermal (2.53*10 <sup>-8 </sup> MeV) and fast (2 MeV) neutron total macroscopic cross-sections of paraffin, polycarbonate, and polyester matrix polymers doped with B <sub>4 </sub>C, B <sub>2 </sub>O <sub>3 </sub>, Sm <sub>2 </sub>O <sub>3 </sub>, and Gd <sub>2 </sub>O <sub>3 </sub> (at weight percentages of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) were computed by using Monte Carlo simulations. Additionally, the macroscopic effective removal cross-section ) of fast neutrons was theoretically computed based on the mass removal cross-section values ) for various elements in polymers and additives. The obtained results show that the highest thermal neutron total macroscopic cross-section was obtained in polycarbonate doped with Gd2O3, and the highest fast neutron total macroscopic cross-section was observed in paraffin doped with Sm2O3. Besides, the paraffin provided the highest fast neutron total macroscopic cross-section for all additives. The results of this study provide a good understanding of shielding properties of paraffin, polycarbonate, and polyester matrix polymers doped with B <sub>4 </sub>C, B <sub>2 </sub>O <sub>3 </sub>, Sm <sub>2 </sub>O <sub>3 </sub>, and Gd <sub>2 </sub>O <sub>3 </sub> against thermal and fast neutrons.}, number={2}, publisher={Süleyman Demirel University}, organization={Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University}