Excitation functions of the 90,91,92,94,96Zr(n,p) reactions from reaction threshold to 20 MeV

•The TALYS-1.4 code has been used exclusively.•Shell damping factor is finely tuned.•Level density parameter is varied effectively for excellent fit.

The excitation function for (n,p) reaction from reaction threshold to 20 MeV on five Zirconium isotopes were calculated using TALYS-1.4 nuclear model code whereby we have studied major nuclear reaction mechanisms, including direct, pre-equilibrium and compound nuclear reactions. Subsequently the level density parameters and the shell damping factors have been varied to get good agreement between the calculated cross sections and experimental nuclear data. Precise estimate of neutron induced reactions at energy levels where resonance occurs is important and complete information in this field is very much required for application in Accelerator Driven Sub-critical Systems.