Bilimsel Çalışmalarda Radyasyon Zırhlama Malzemeleri: Bir Bibliyometrik İnceleme

Abstract

Radyasyon zırhlama, bireyleri ve çevreyi zararlı radyasyon maruziyetinden korumak için temel bir yöntemdir. Çeşitli zırhlama malzemeleri, tıbbi, nükleer ve uzay gibi alanların farklı ihtiyaçlarını karşılamak amacıyla geliştirilmiştir. Bu çalışma, radyasyondan korunma amacıyla kullanılan zırhlama materyallerine odaklanan bilimsel literatürü bibliyometrik bir yaklaşımla analiz etmektedir. Araştırma kapsamında, 2000-2023 yılları arasında yayımlanan 6515 doküman incelenmiş ve Scopus veri tabanı kullanılarak analiz gerçekleştirilmiştir. Sonuçlar, literatürde en sık çalışılan materyallerin silika, tungsten, polimerler, karbon nanotüpler ve kurşun olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca, nanoteknoloji ve kompozit malzemeler gibi yeni araştırma trendleri öne çıkmaktadır. Anahtar kelime analizleri ve eş-kelime (co-word) ağları, araştırmaların "radyasyon zırhlama" (radiation shielding) ve "radyasyon koruma" (radiation protection) kavramları etrafında yoğunlaştığını, bu kavramların ise "gama ışınları" (gamma rays), ve "nötronlar" (neutrons) gibi terimlerle güçlü bağlantılar kurduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu çalışma, zırhlama materyalleri üzerine yapılan araştırmaların çeşitliliğini ve yenilikçi yaklaşımlarını gözler önüne sermektedir. Elde edilen bulgular, literatürün mevcut durumunu anlamak ve gelecekteki çalışmalar için yönlendirici bir çerçeve sunmaktadır.

Radiation Shielding Materials: A Bibliometric Review

Abstract

Radiation shielding is a fundamental strategy for protecting individuals and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation exposure. Over the past two decades, a wide array of shielding materials has been developed to address the specific requirements of medical, nuclear, and space applications. This study employs a bibliometric approach to systematically analyze the scientific literature concerning radiation shielding materials. A total of 6,515 documents published between 2000 and 2023 were retrieved from the Scopus database and examined. The findings indicate that the most frequently investigated materials include silica, tungsten, polymers, carbon nanotubes, and lead. Emerging research trends—particularly in nanotechnology and composite materials—have also received significant scholarly attention. Keyword and co-word network analyses reveal that research is primarily concentrated on the concepts of “radiation shielding” and “radiation protection,” with strong thematic links to terms such as “gamma rays” and “neutrons”. This study underscores the diversity of materials and innovative approaches being explored in the field. Furthermore, it provides a structured overview and a guiding framework for future research, particularly regarding the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly shielding materials.

Keywords

• Radiation shielding
• Bibliometric analysis
• Material development
• Nanomaterials
• Radiation protection

References

1. Abouhaswa, A. S., Tekin, H. O., Ahmed, E. M., Kilicoğlu, O., & Rammah, Y. S. (2021). Synthesis, physical, linear optical and nuclear radiation shielding characteristics of B2O3–BaO–PbO–SrO2 glasses. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 32(13), 18163–18177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-06359-7
2. Andrés, A. (2009). Measuring academic research: How to undertake a bibliometric study. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781780630182
3. International Atomic Energy Agency. (2014). Radiation in everyday life. https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Factsheets/English/radlife
4. Aral, N., Nergis, F. B., & Candan, C. (2016). Investigation of x-ray attenuation and the flex resistance properties of fabrics coated with tungsten and barium sulphate additives olacak doğrusu. Textiles & Apparel, 26(2), 166–171.
5. Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007
6. Chen, S., Nambiar, S., Li, Z., Osei, E., Darko, J., Zheng, W., Sun, Z., Liu, P., & Yeow, J. T. W. (2019). Bismuth oxide-based nanocomposite for high-energy electron radiation shielding. Journal of Materials Science, 54(4), 3023–3034. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-3063-0
7. Creutz, E., & Downes, K. (1949). Magnetite concrete for radiation shielding. Journal of Applied Physics, 20(12), 1236–1240. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1698315
8. Erkoyuncu, İ., Demirkol, İ., Akman, F., Kaçal, M. R., Polat, H., & Dilsiz, K. (2025). A study on the mechanical and radiation shielding characteristics of concrete samples reinforced with brass alloy and boron carbide. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 217, Article 111641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111641

9. Huang, D., Ren, Y., Yang, R., He, Z., & Yao, Y. (2021). Preparation and characterization of a novel ultraviolet/thermal dual-curing thiol-ene/polyurethane acrylate coating. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 18(4), 1109–1116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-021-00465-w
10. Kilicoğlu, O., Kara, U., & İnanç, İ. (2021). The impact of polymer additive for N95 masks on gamma-ray attenuation properties. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 260, Article 124093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2020.124093
11. Kilicoğlu, O., & Mehmetçik, H. (2021). Science mapping for radiation shielding research. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 189, Article 109721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2021.109721
12. Kobayashi, S., Hosoda, N., & Takashima, R. (1997). Tungsten alloys as radiation protection materials. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 390(3), 426–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9002(97)00345-4
13. Kurtulus, R. (2024). Recent developments in radiation shielding glass studies: A mini-review on various glass types. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 220, Article 111701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2024.111701
14. Mortazavi, S. M. J., Bevelacqua, J. J., Rafiepour, P., Sina, S., Moradgholi, J., Mortazavi, A., & Welsh, J. S. (2024). Chapter 13 - Lead-free, multilayered, and nanosized radiation shields in medical applications, industrial, and space research. In S. Verma & A. K. Srivastava (Eds.), Advanced radiation shielding materials (pp. 305–322). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95387-0.00006-6
15. Yamamoto, L. G. (2013). Risks and management of radiation exposure. Pediatric Emergency Care, 29(9), 1016–1026. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEC.0b013e3182a380b8
16. Zakaly, H. M. H., Saudi, H. A., Issa, S. A. M., Rashad, M., Elazaka, A. I., Tekin, H. O., & Saddeek, Y. B. (2021). Alteration of optical, structural, mechanical durability and nuclear radiation attenuation properties of barium borosilicate glasses through BaO reinforcement: Experimental and numerical analyses. Ceramics International, 47(4), 5587–5596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.10.143