ACS_Nano Letters Cover
February 7
2024 Volume 24
Issue 5Pages 1467-1824
Form Factor-Free Boron Nitride Nanotube–Agarose Composites for Neutron Shielding
Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have remarkable mechanical and thermal properties and are suitable for neutron shielding due to boron. Because BNNTs exist in bundled and stiff shapes, limiting their practical applications, however, it is essential to improve their formability and processability. In this study, we demonstrate form-factor-free BNNTs and agarose composites for use in neutron shielding for the first time; they are fabricated by mixing hydrophilic agarose with noncovalently functionalized water-soluble BNNTs (p-BNNTs). The mechanical properties of the agarose/p-BNNT composite films surpass those of conventional commodity plastics. When the p-BNNT concentration increased, the neutron linear attenuation coefficient of the composite film increases from 0.574 ± 0.010 to 0.765 ± 0.062 mm–1, which is comparable to that of conventional rigid shielding materials. In particular, the addition of 10 wt % p-BNNTs to agarose results in excellent form-factor flexibility, neutron shielding, and mechanical properties, thus rendering it a promising candidate for the nuclear industry.
- Sang-Woo Jeon
- Jiwon Kim
- Young-Jin Yoon
- Seonghyeon Yang
- Dong Chul Yang
- Sung-Kon Kim
- Tae-Hwan Kim
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03821
Image created by minjeong Kim / Nanosphere
ACS_Nano Letters Cover
February 7
2024 Volume 24
Issue 5Pages 1467-1824
Form Factor-Free Boron Nitride Nanotube–Agarose Composites for Neutron Shielding
Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have remarkable mechanical and thermal properties and are suitable for neutron shielding due to boron. Because BNNTs exist in bundled and stiff shapes, limiting their practical applications, however, it is essential to improve their formability and processability. In this study, we demonstrate form-factor-free BNNTs and agarose composites for use in neutron shielding for the first time; they are fabricated by mixing hydrophilic agarose with noncovalently functionalized water-soluble BNNTs (p-BNNTs). The mechanical properties of the agarose/p-BNNT composite films surpass those of conventional commodity plastics. When the p-BNNT concentration increased, the neutron linear attenuation coefficient of the composite film increases from 0.574 ± 0.010 to 0.765 ± 0.062 mm–1, which is comparable to that of conventional rigid shielding materials. In particular, the addition of 10 wt % p-BNNTs to agarose results in excellent form-factor flexibility, neutron shielding, and mechanical properties, thus rendering it a promising candidate for the nuclear industry.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03821
Image created by minjeong Kim / Nanosphere