Preparation and characterization of novel boron containing nanocomposites with neutron radiation shielding properties

Abstract PVA/PEO/PVP‐B ₄ C and PVA/PEO/PVP‐BN polymer nanocomposites were prepared using boron nitrite (BN), boron carbide (B ₄ C), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyethylene oxide (PEO). B ₄ C and BN nanopowders were added to the mixture at three different percentages: 5%, 10%, and 20%. Thermal characterization was performed by differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry. Scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction were used for surface analysis and crystal structure characterization. The atomic distribution was determined by elemental analysis. Neutron shielding properties were performed at three different gamma peak areas, 1293.56 keV, 1097.33 keV, 416.86 keV, and calculated total macroscopic cross‐section ∑ _T and half‐value layer. The ∑ _T values were found to be in the range of 7.99–14.37 for all synthesized composites. B ₄ C‐doped composites show higher protection efficiency against slow thermal neutrons than BN‐doped samples. Highlights Poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene oxide)/polyvinylpyrrolidone composites containing boron nanoparticles are flexible and workable. Nanocomposites were prepared with a simple, cheap, and fast method. Prepared boron nanocomposites exhibit slow thermal neutron stopping even at 3 mm thickness. PVA ₉₀ /PEO ₅ /PVP ₅ ‐BN and PVA ₉₀ /PEO ₅ /PVP ₅ ‐B ₄ C composites are good candidates for demanding military applications such as vehicle and body armor.