Gamma exposure buildup factors and neutron total cross section of ceramic hosts for high level radioactive wastes

Mass attenuation coefficients and exposure buildup factors (EBF) for some ceramic hosts such as Hollandite (BaAl2Ti6O16), Perovskite (CaTiO3), Zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7), Apatite (Pb10 (VO4)4.8(PO4)1.2I2), and Zircon (ZrSiO4) for high level radioactive waste have been computed in the present paper. The mass attenuation coefficients for the Apatite were found to be the highest. The EBF for the Apatite were found the smallest in low-to-intermediate energy (<3 MeV). Neutron total macroscopic cross sections for the ceramic hosts were calculated for 2, 4.5 and 14.1 MeV using Geant4. Zircon for neutron low-energy (2 MeV) and Hollandite for high-energy (14.1 MeV) were found superior shielding materials. This study could be useful for radioactive waste management, handling, transportation, dose evaluation and other shielding requirements.