Effects of micro-sized and nano-sized WO₃ on mass attenauation coefficients of concrete by using MCNPX code

In the present work the effect of tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanoparticles on mass attenauation coefficients of concrete has been investigated by using MCNPX (version 2.4.0). The validation of generated MCNPX simulation geometry has been provided by comparing the results with standard XCOM data for mass attenuation coefficients of concrete. A very good agreement between XCOM and MCNPX have been obtained. The validated geometry has been used for definition of nano-WO₃ and micro-WO₃ into concrete sample. The mass attenuation coefficients of pure concrete and WO₃ added concrete with micro-sized and nano-sized have been compared. It was observed that shielding properties of concrete doped with WO₃ increased. The results of mass attenauation coefficients also showed that the concrete doped with nano-WO₃ significanlty improve shielding properties than micro-WO₃. It can be concluded that addition of nano-sized particles can be considered as another mechanism to reduce radiation dose.