ISOTOPE SPECIFIC Zn(n,p)Cu ACTIVATION MODELING IN ZnO NANOPARTICLES UNDER FAST NEUTRON SPECTRA
Ilaha V. Izzatova
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ABSTRACT

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are increasingly used in neutron fields, where zinc activation and copper buildup affect both safety and functional performance. This article presents an isotope resolved modeling study of Zn(n,p)Cu activation in ZnO nanoparticles based on harmonized excitation functions for the 64Zn(n,p)64Cu, 66Zn(n,p)66Cu, 67Zn(n,p)67Cu and 68Zn(n,p)68Cu reactions. Cross sections calculated with the computer code are mapped onto a common 0–20 MeV energy grid, folded with representative fast neutron spectra and coupled to Bateman inventory calculations for natural zinc in ZnO. The results reveal a clear hierarchy, with 64Zn(n,p)64Cu dominating the fast spectrum response, 68Zn(n,p)68Cu providing a secondary contribution and 66Zn(n,p)66Cu remaining minor. Despite its low cross section, 67Zn(n,p)67Cu generates medium lived 67Cu that governs the residual copper inventory. The framework provides a compact basis for predicting activation in ZnO based components and for optimizing irradiation conditions for tailored copper production.

Keywords: ZnO nanoparticles; zinc activation; Zn(n,p)Cu reactions; copper radionuclides.
DOI:10.70784/azip.1.2025424

Received: 17.11.2025
Internet publishing: 25.11.2025    AJP Fizika E 2025 04 en p.24-28

AUTHORS & AFFILIATIONS

Institute of Radiation Problems of Ministry of Science and Education AZ1143, B.Vahabzade 9, Baku, Azerbaijan
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